Beauty and The Beast: A Varia's Tale
Summary:
"Only true love can break the curse."
The Varia were so sure they'd never escape their fate now. Why? One. Their boss was incapable of falling in love with women. Two. Because he loved tequila more than anything. Three. And because of reason two, he'd NEVER find love. Or so they thought.
They didn't expect Miss Vongola Decimo, afteral.
[Fem!Tsuna x Xanxus]
DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything of KHR which is the best mafia related anime and manga in this whole wide world. Only Amano Akira does.
5. Training.
Previously,
"Umm…" She fidgeted under their strong gazes. Tsuna was actually quite willing to have a stare down with Hibari right now than be stared at by them. "Is there a second breakfast by any chance?"
"Tsu-chan! Are you still hungry?" Lussuria asked with his hands clasped.
"I didn't exactly even get to swallow three spoons of my porridge…"
"I'll ask the maids to-"
"VOI!" Squalo suddenly exclaimed as he marched up to Tsuna and grabbed her by the arm. "You're coming with me you trashy brat!"
"E-Eh?" The brunette's eyes grew wide in surprise.
"I will train you, fucking brat!"
"EHHHH!?"
"VOI! DON'T SLACK AROUND TRASH!"
Sawada Tsunayoshi merely winced at the sudden yell from her instructor. Surprised? Had it been five days back she would be exclaiming in fright but well, that was five days ago. She had spent all of those (horrifying) days in the presence of the Rain Guardian. All of it, except for bed-time, visits to the toilet and the bath. And the time spent with him was enough to make her get used to his violent and foul-mouthed presence.
The brunette picked herself off the couch and placed the book she was reading on it. She then turned towards the white haired swordsman with a rather tired look. "Where to?"
She knew it wasn't a good idea trying to talk him out of the apparent "training" he was giving her. One question regarding it and she would be swimming away from sharks again. That unfortunate day was the first and possibly the last time she would ever question his actions.
"The South Block." He nods in approval. She bit back her tired sigh. This was going to be another tough training. Hopefully, it wouldn't drain her energy like the others since the South Block held one of the gardens in the Varia abode and Squalo wouldn't dare bring harm upon what belonged to his boss. Right?
Her first day of training had totally taxed every bit of her energy. The white haired commander had gone all out on a fist to fist spar with her. Or should she say fist and sword spar since his left hand had been replaced with a sword?
The female had to take him head on with none of her weapons on her. It started off with her ducking for cover wherever possible but after the surrounding of trees –where he had dragged her off to train- were all sliced off, she had no other option but to face him. Yes she could activate her HDWM without her gloves and pills too, but she was still under training to get that part right. It wasn't a surprise that it had lasted for just two minutes before she reverted back to her normal self.
She was then, promptly knocked out cold by the blow that came from above by Squalo's sword. The brunette was relieved that she hadn't sustained a concussion or worse, suffered a case of amnesia. All the hits and blows from Reborn seemed to have transformed her head into something much more than a normal person's. It was reassuring as well as disturbing at the same time to know about her naturally armoured head.
Sadly though, she didn't get to sleep throughout that day since the moment her eyes opened, she was dragged out for another spar.
The next four days were a nightmare. Her lack of sleep due to the routine the white haired swordsman had put up for her only contributed to her loss of energy. She always ended up blacking out into dreamland the moment her head hit the pillow in the past four nights. It was terrible.
Today was also an unfortunate day; she was dragged out of bed at two am and taken to the training room belonging to the Varia recruits. There she was made to run on the mill for twenty kilometres before she was sent back to bed again only to be woken up at five for a morning run outside the Varia compound. And mind you, it is a huge compound.
At least I got to rest for an hour after breakfast. She sighed. But I still don't understand why Squalo-san is training me.
And she wasn't keen on asking him again.
Tsuna trudged on through the hallways, sending small but warm smiles to the people she past while being totally oblivious to what it was doing to them. They all hurriedly walked away hoping she hadn't caught sight of their tinted cheeks.
On her way, she came across a familiar cloaked woman who was staggering along the path. Tsuna, on pure instinct, reached out and grabbed the woman who lost her balance. The brunette realised that the illusionist was muttering something about her bank accounts and it only seemed to worsen her condition.
"AAAARGH!" The illusionist gasped in pain as both her hands flew up to clutch the sides of her head.
"Viper-san!" Tsuna exclaimed in total loss of what she should do in this situation.
"The money…my money…" Viper croaked. "…lost…my money…"
Something told the brunette that it was the thought of money which was inflicting so much pain to the illusionist. "Viper-san, you have to stop thinking about it!"
"It's all gone…" The Varia's Mist began breathing faster. "…gone…"
The Decimo shook her head. This wasn't going to work. She had to do something and she had to do it fast. Tsuna recalled a lesson which Reborn had given her on pressure points. Her hand found its way around the older female's neck, searching for the correct spot. On finding it, the brunette applied the right amount of pressure on it and knocked the illusionist out.
She sighed as she scooped the female into her arms. Surprisingly, Viper wasn't very heavy. To her relief she spotted two Varia recruits heading in her direction. She turned to them with a rather grateful smile. "Can one of you tell Commander Squalo that I'll be delayed a bit? He'll be in the South Block. And can you show me the way to Viper-san's room?"
They nodded with surprising amount of respect which made Tsuna seem as though she was a Varia squad leader, and that made her feel awkward. The one with the piercings ran off in the direction where they had just come from while the other dutifully stepped in front of her.
"This way miss."
Those who joined the Varia were supposed to know a minimum of seven languages so it was of no surprise that the members knew Japanese too. She was quite thankful for that since she wasn't very much fluent in Italian. She was still learning how to get rid of the Japanese accent which stuck on whenever she spoke the other language.
The girl was somehow grateful that the woman hadn't fought back with her illusions when Tsuna looked for the pressure point on her neck. If Viper had done so, Tsuna would have been in no position to face them. Her lunch was all that was keeping her alive right now. She was betting on the fact that the next training routine would send her into another dreamless sleep pretty soon.
"Ushishishi." A familiar laughter rang throughout the quiet hallway. "What's this?"
"P-Prince Belphegor!" The Varia recruit who was leading the way shivered at the sight of the blond who was as usual, twirling a knife at the tip of his finger.
Tsuna noticing the uneasiness of her guide dismissed him with a 'Thank you' and then turned to the Storm Guardian. "She collapsed. I was searching for her room to place her to bed."
She made no mention of the exact condition of how she had found the illusionist. Probably because she thought the older woman would have preferred to let it remain between them. The Mist Guardian was afteral in such a pathetic condition when the brunette had caught her before she hit the ground.
Bel cocked his head to the side as though he was assessing her but she wasn't quite sure since his bangs covered his eyes. They stood in silence for a few moments before he finally spoke. "The second last room at the end of this hallway."
"Thank you." Tsuna nodded.
She had expected the assassin to head off to somewhere else after giving the direction. That was the reason why when the door was opened for her by someone from behind she spun around in surprise and was greeted by the prince's maniacal trademark grin.
The brunette nodded hesitantly in acknowledgement before going in. The room was huge and dark courtesy of the French windows being draped with heavy curtains which completely blocked the afternoon sun's rays from coming in. Purple flames from the corners of the room immediately lit up the moment they stepped in.
The smell of incense was what the room smelled of. It was heavy and somewhat calming. Though the bedroom was big, it barely had any furniture in it. There was a shelf on one side filled with books whose spines had rather ominous writings on them and a large table on the other side with an open book and scattered papers. A research work?
Tsuna involuntarily shivered when she spotted the woman's bed in the corner. There were black roses and candles but her main concentration was on the skulls sitting on the headrest. She had a feeling they weren't just decoration pieces but actual human skulls. And she didn't want to know where they had come from.
To her surprise, Bel actually helped her set Viper on the bed. He gently pulled the blankets over the woman and made sure her head was properly placed on the pillow.
"Did she mention anything?" He asked, sounding a little grim. Tsuna found this weird since she was used to the 24x7 grinning prince. "I know she wouldn't have just collapsed."
The brunette gulped. Was he gonna skewer her for lying? She hoped not. "She mentioned something about her money. About them being lost, I think?"
Bel sighed. Actually sighed. Sawada was having a hard time accepting this different version of the prince before her. Did he actually…care?
"We're all going to die someday." He turned to her, his grin wiped clean off his face. "But our time is closer."
With those words he strode out of the room. Tsuna was left puzzled with what he had just said. Was it a riddle? She was never good with those. They were a headache for her to crack and so she never bothered. But he sounded like he was trying to pass on a message to her; his tone almost seemed urgent. But why?
"Oh." The blond prince poked his head back into the room.
Looks like that disturbing smile is back. Tsuna stared at him. "Yes?"
"Watch out for the zombies." He said in a sing-song voice before he disappeared again with his laughter filling the eerily quiet room.
The brunette tilted her head to the side with a questioning look. "Huh? Zombies?"
As if on cue, she heard the sound of something shuffling behind her. The girl didn't even bother to look behind to see what it was. Instead she bolted out of the room with a shriek and shut the door with a loud slam. Her hands had goose bumps on them and her hair was standing. The brunette walked away as quickly as she could, hoping that would be the last time she would have to visit that room.
The Decimo broke off into a run. She would be very late if she didn't do so. And her newest tutor didn't like tardy behaviour. Yes she did send someone to inform him that she would be running late but even so, she needed to get there as quickly as she could.
On the way she passed the Lightning Guardian who seemed to be looking for someone or something. He gave her his signature glare which made her sweat-drop at the sight of it but she carried on anyway. She also passed Lussuria who had an apron on and a blood coated knife in his hands as he headed off to the kitchen with a dreamy smile.
Is he cooking dinner!? Tsuna stared, horrified.
After a few more minutes of running, she reached the doors to the gardens gasping for breath. Her hand pushed open the door and she dragged herself in, only to collide into someone.
"Ah! I'm sorry!" Tsuna bowed profusely in apology. "I had to take Viper-san back to her room and so I'm a little delayed BUT I did get here as fast as I-"
"Stop talking you piece of trash."
"-eh?" The brunette raised her head and almost suffered from a cardiac arrest.
Instead of the Rain Guardian she thought she was speaking to, she found herself staring at the Boss of the Varia. And from the look of it, he didn't seem pleased to see her or have her bump into him. "HIEEE! Xanxus-san!"
"VOI!" The white haired swordsman roared. "What the fuck took you so long!? Did you get lost again!?"
Tsuna felt relief wash over her as she unconsciously edged towards the Rain Guardian. This move was brushed off by the man but however, didn't seem to go unnoticed by the black haired man who narrowed his eyes at the action.
"Squalo-san!" She exclaimed before a frown replaced her look of relief. "Didn't one of the Varia recruits come and tell you that I would be a little delayed?"
"The fuck are you doing ordering the Varia around?" Squalo growled.
Tsuna sweat-dropped. "I'm guessing he-"
The door suddenly opened and Tsuna stepped to the side before she could be hit. Her expression fell into a deadpan as she recognised the person who had just come as the very same recruit she had asked to tell Squalo about her delay. And why is he holding a plate of steak!?
"Boss! The Italian styled medium rare roasted steak made with the imported olive oil from Spain and flavoured with the spices from India, just as you asked for!" The piercings dude squeaked as he held out the tray with the plate of steak before him.
Realisation dawned upon the brunette who shut her eyes and sighed. The recruit must have come across Xanxus on his way and sent off to fulfil the Boss's desire to procure the food. Xanxus sure was a picky eater; she stared at him with an impassive look. Did he always have to eat high-classed food around the day regardless of what time it was?
The black haired man replied in a gruff tone. "Where's my fucking wine?"
"But boss, you never mentioned for-" The poor recruit immediately shut up with the glare he received from the crimson eyed man. "I thought you would like the steak first so I brought it in a hurry!" He rushed and placed it on the garden table which stood next to the white marble fountain which Tsuna had never noticed the last time she was here. "I will bring the wine now!"
The three of them were left in an awkward silence which ensued after the man hastily left the garden. It was, unlike the open garden in the Northern side of the Varia mansion, more of a greenhouse but a spacious one and built with thick glass. And also, it was attached to the end of the southern side of the mansion.
"Umm…" Tsuna dared to break the silence. "So what brings you here, Xanxus-san?"
"It's none of your business brat." Squalo replied instead. "I brought him here to talk while I watch over your training. Now go along and tend to those fucking dead plants and weeds. All the equipment you need is in the shed back there."
"Eh?" The brunette blinked. She was supposed to what?
"VOI! I said go!" The white haired swordsman snapped. "What the fuck are you still doing here?"
"Eeks!" She shuddered under the extra glare that came from the black haired man. "I'm going!"
The brunette went towards the shed with confusion. She had expected another harsh training or something. Not to take care of the plants. Did that mean her days of difficult lessons under Squalo were ending?
She smiled at that thought and opened the door of the shed only to slam it shut with all her might. Her face grew pale and her hand shivered. She had seen something in there. It was dark but she could've sworn she saw something in there. And it was moving.
"Oh. I forgot to mention that the plants are carnivorous. A new breed produced by sun flames as an experiment. They attack anything that tries to uproot them even though they're practically dead. They're around the garden. Make sure every single one of them is taken care of." Squalo's voice called out to her.
"Carnivorous attacking plants!?" Tsuna cried out.
Then what she had seen inside the shed must have been one of them as well. In response to her thought, the thing inside the shed thumped around as though making itself known. The brunette made an internal plea for the heavens to be on her side as she opened the door again.
A sunflower. Of all the plants and flowers that existed, it had to be a sunflower. But it was ten times the size of a normal one and was instead a shade of dried brown. The light streamed in when she opened the door and she got a better look of it. She squinted. "It doesn't look like it can attack anyone."
The place where the sunflower's seeds were supposed to be suddenly transformed into razor sharp teeth which shone bright as it turned to face her. Or probably the sunlight which came in from her direction.
"Okay." She sharply inhaled, her voice going an octave higher. "I take back my words."
The girl grabbed the shovel closest to her and held it tight. There was a moment of stillness, the calm before the storm. Then it all happened very quickly. She yelled out a battle cry just as the sunflower jumped in her direction.
It was going to be a fight to remember.
"…even Marmon wouldn't be able to stand to the curse if this continues. She's having multiple collapses and it's taking a toll on her health." Squalo said. "Bel reported that one of the banks where she had stored a good amount of cash terminated her account due to mysterious circumstances. This she did not take well."
Xanxus however seemed more interested with his steak which he was munching away rather noisily much to the white haired commander's annoyance.
"As for the rest of Guardians, the curse undoubtedly affects us on a daily basis but it isn't so severe. We can bear it but-"
"So…" The black haired man interrupted him as he finally put the knife and fork down. "What is it that you expect me to do?"
"Break the curse of course." Squalo replied. He had had this talk with his boss more than once. In fact, he brought this topic every single day since the curse had settled on them. And none of them ever went well. He knew his Boss was inept when it came to 'love' but ever since the Decimo had arrived, Xanxus could give it a shot couldn't he?
The Varia Boss laughed harshly as he wiped his mouth with the napkin. "And what is it you suggest?"
"Sawada Tsunayoshi."
A foul aura replaced the black haired man's casual one. "You expect me to-" Xanxus paused for a moment as though he was trying to find the right word. "-to court her?"
Squalo felt a sense of relief wash over him. It seemed like the heavens had opened up and enlightened the other man that he actually knew the word 'court' and what it meant. He could very much hear the angels singing right now. "I don't see why not. She's probably the only female who wouldn't put on a fake persona around you out of fear."
Xanxus growled. "I'm not interested in trash like her."
The said girl was currently struggling to stand as she approached them. She stopped about a feet from the table. "All…done."
Squalo glanced at table clock which he had brought along to time her. It had been almost an hour since she began her task. He nodded in approval. "That was done faster than I had expected. Good job. You're dismissed for the day."
"…thanks." She managed to say before her legs gave away and she fell forward.
However, instead of landing on the ground face first she was prevented from falling by Xanxus who used the boot of his outstretched leg to balance her by lightly pushing it against her abdomen. Squalo raised an eyebrow at his Boss's sudden act. He could've sworn the man had acted out on pure instinct. Or did he?
"Not interested in trash like her?" Squalo couldn't stop the smirk that crept on his lips.
The black haired man shot him a side glare before tossing the unconscious female over to the white haired swordsman who caught her with ease. "She was about to spill my drink."
Squalo laughed only to have the glass of wine in which Xanxus had lifted off the table shatter over his head and its contents drip down his long hair. "VOI! WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT FOR!?"
Now it was Xanxus who wore the smirk as he coolly walked back into the mansion with his hands in his pockets. For all he knew, the shitty assed commander had got just what he deserved. And that made him settle into a good and satisfied mood. The one mood he was rarely ever in.
A/N: No, you're not dreaming. And yes, this IS an early update from my side xD Surprised much? :'3
So in this chapter I wanted it to be known that the curse shouldn't be forgotten about and you should be aware that it is pretty much dangerous. And yes I wanted to experiment on friendship between the Varia members in this chapter too. Bel and Viper have been together working on various missions together for quite a long time so yes, they are undoubtedly close and exhibit care for each other in their own ways. As for Xanxus and Squalo, I see them as "best-friend" material. I don't know why. I just get that vibe from them xD Do you too? :'3
Them confiding with each other not only as Boss and subordinate but also as "friends" seems cute to me so I tested it out :'D
And they can't directly talk about the curse to others who are unaware of it. But well, Bel-kun gave our dearest Tsuna a hint of the curse in a rather indirect manner. She is already aware that something is not quite right in the previous chapters but she hasn't pieced up the things together yet.
That's about it for the explanations for your understanding :D
And yes. How did you like this chapter? ^^
A big thanks to all those who have taken time to read this story. Also a major gratitude to those concerned people for your favourites and follows and YES! The reviews too!
Timberwolf Silver: Thank you! And that's a good idea. I'll be keeping that in mind :'3
Kitty Kat Vixen: Thank you :') I love you guys more xD
NekoMimiMyawMyaw: Yes. He's Levi afteral xD And about Bester being what Xanxus feels inside…who knows :'3
Ducki9: I hope this chapter had more of the two like you wanted it to :') That time will come soon. I can't wait for it too. The reactions of the Varia will be priceless! xD And I'll keep in mind your suggestion too :'3 And your hope truned to reality and so here's the next chapter! I hope you enjoyed it! :'D
Do drop your opinions in the form of reviews as REVIEWS ARE LOVE! :')