Jychan: I don't own Katekyo Hitman Reborn! I'm just an ordinary fan who loves doing fanfics for KHR.
Summary: She disappeared from their sight the day after they graduated High School. Five years later, she appeared at one of the Vongola Function Parties as the Boss of the Rose Noire Family. Was she still the Haru that they knew? TsunaxHaru
14
Tan Li-Chen had always been her partner. Whenever the boss would give her a mission, Tan Li-Chen became her automatic partner, even if she was still in China. Nevertheless, Li-Chen would arrive as soon as possible and they would easily finish the mission they were given. At first, Antoinette held hostility over the Chinese woman.
She thought that Li-Chen would be so haughty especially since she was supposedly the strongest Guardian among the Rose Noire Guardians. She was the Ace who would never lose any battle that she was in. Whenever Vio was in full strict mode, the Wind Guardian would just nod and stay silent on one side. Most of the time when they had meetings, Li-Chen was usually never present. Well, the Chinese woman could do whatever she wanted to do and just lax off, especially since she was the strongest. Antoinette frowned greatly on her.
However, her opinions changed when during one mission of theirs, Antoinette had immediately charged in without any strategies or plan B's. She had just barged in the enemy's hideout and had immediately attacked. As a result, she was taken in as a hostage after she was overwhelmed by the number of enemies. Nevertheless, she knew that nobody was going to save her, not even Li-Chen.
After all, what Li-Chen was left to do was to eliminate the whole area so that she could immediately finish the mission. Of course, Antoinette, herself, would be killed in the process, but it was the only option left. However, what Antoinette didn't expect was how Li-Chen had charged in (with a plan and strategy, of course) and had rescued her first before eliminating the whole area. She had asked why Li-Chen did so. She didn't understand why a woman like Li-Chen would just help her.
The woman with the jet black hair simply smiled and replied, "You're my partner, after all." It was only composed of a few words and yet, Antoinette felt very satisfied with her answer. Her views on Li-Chen had changed. She was someone who would never abandon someone and that act alone proved of her true personality.
Moreover, she found out that the reason why Li-Chen didn't show up at meetings was because she was assigned at the China HQ. The China HQ was the newest HQ of the Rose Noire Famiglia and thus, a strong person had to be assigned in that area. Plus, the reason why Li-Chen was usually silent when she was present on meetings was because she greatly feared the Underboss of the Rose Noire Famiglia.
Antoinette grimaced at the thought that the Strongest Guardian of the Rose Noire Famiglia was actually the most cowardly of them all. Not that she would blame Li-Chen, but it was such an irony. Yet, despite her cowardliness, she managed to save the day at the very end, just like what was happening right now. In front of her was Li-Chen who was busy trying to defend them from the likes of Marie and Mei-Lin.
"Antoinette, Rico, when I directly attack the enemies, directly go back inside the HQ. Don't bother to look back." Li-Chen said in Japanese. "I'll be fine this time." Li-Chen gave a reassuring smile. Rico and Antoinette nodded. They understood what Li-Chen said. It was quite clever though since it was wise to use codes or rather another language in their case.
"We'll take your word then." Antoinette managed to mutter as she stood up while she clenched to her wounds. They were quite critical, but she was still alive and breathing. She had gone worst.
"Just what did you say?" Marie asked as Li-Chen gave a smile and replied back in French, "Nothing that would concern you. I complimented her dress." Marie nodded on her answer. Seriously? Was that girl even possible? Li-Chen shook her head as she raised her arnis stick.
"Shall we get this on then?" She said as Mei Lin simply sighed and raised the hand fans on her hands. "I don't know how you survived, but I'll get you this time. You don't stand a chance, especially since I have the Éventail du vent." Mei Lin replied as Li-Chen rolled her eyes.
"Don't depend on that weapon too much, Achi. Just a suggestion." Li-Chen said as she ran towards Marie and Mei Lin while proceeding to attack. Upon Li-Chen's immediate charge, Rico and Antoinette had ran back to the mansion just like how Li-Chen had told them earlier.
They felt guilty for just leaving her with two strong opponents who already had the Element Weapons, but this was what Li-Chen's resolve was. They couldn't disrespect her resolve and decisions. Nevertheless, they immediately rushed to the Conference Room, where everybody was waiting for them.
Yet, before they could reach there, Yamamoto who was waiting on the corridors had immediately carried Antoinette on his shoulders. "I'll be taking this lady first, if you'll excuse us." He said towards Rico, who simply nodded and continued on his way to the Conference Room.
"Hey! What are you doing?" Antoinette asked as she flustered to the deepest shade of red. She just couldn't believe what was happening right there and then.
"Carrying you off to the Infirmary to have you treated." Yamamoto said as he continued on walking through the corridors.
"I can still walk." Antoinette replied as Yamamoto rolled his eyes. "You can still barely walk is the right thing to say. Your injuries are quite critical. It was crucial for you to walk despite the seriousness of your wounds."
"I'll still live. I've gone through worse." She said as she gave a bitter smile. It was true though. She had gone worse than this. Plus, it was during the time when she didn't know how to defend herself yet, thus her injuries were worse, not only physically, but psychologically and emotionally.
"Still. This is something else." Yamamoto said as they continued on walking around.
"We just passed by the Infirmary, you know." Antoinette said as Yamamoto turned his head around and indeed, saw that he had truly just passed by the Infirmary. Antoinette laughed at this as he turned back his way and went inside the Infirmary.
"I knew about that." Yamamoto said as Antoinette almost burst into laughter. Too bad her injuries were preventing her to laugh hard.
Haru couldn't believe her eyes. It was Tan Li-Chen there in front at the screen. Her Wind Guardian was actually still alive. She knew deep inside that Li-Chen was still alive. Oh, thank God. She thought to herself. She thought that she had actually lost one of her Guardians, but she was wrong. And never had she been so grateful to be wrong than this moment.
"I told you." Tsuna said as he had a gentle smile in his face while Haru nodded. "Yes. Apparently you were. Thus I was wrong, but I'm glad that I was wrong."
"A graduate from Midori Middle School saying those words?" He asked with a teasing voice, while Haru looked at him, an eyebrow raised, "Sawada-san..."
"I get it. I'll stop." Tsuna replied as Haru nodded with a smile on her face. "But, what I don't get is if why my Guardian is here, and yet Hibari-san cannot be found."
Haru's eyes widened. Could it be possible that instead of Li-Chen, Hibari-san was the one- Tsuna chuckled out of the blue. "He'll be fine. I know and trust Hibari-san."
Haru turned to Tsuna. Did he just say those words? Tsuna nodded upon her expression as she smiled. Well, there was nothing wrong. Their kind of relationship has been that way since their Middle School years and until now, they're still the same.
"I have complete trust on my Cloud Guardian." Tsuna said as Haru chuckled in return. Well, she knew why. "I've seen you in the past." Tsuna grimaced upon remembering some painful and bitter memories, but managed to chuckle upon remembering the good ones. "Yes, yes."
A call immediately came up the screen. It was an immediate and emergency call from Lambo. "We are under attack here in the Italy HQ."
The others raised an eyebrow. How could the Italy HQ be under attack to the point that they have resorted to an emergency call? Tsuna immediately turned on his microphone. "The Varia? Where are they?"
"They're still on their way, but we're having a hard time, fending off these opponents." Lambo said as his voice was weary. He was a bit pressured and at the same time, he was worried for his older partner. "Actually, Lizzy-san is the one who is fighting off. It's a Guardian from the Martinio Famiglia."
jychan: WOAH! Some development with Yamamoto and Antoinette? Li-Chen has appeared and she's against two Guardians from the Martinio famiglia who have the Element Weapons! Plus, Hibari is not around! Where could he be? And the ITALY HQ is under attack! OH NO!
novellanite12: Yup. She's more confident now. :)))) I'm so happy for her~ WIII! But if you want to know how she became confident, try looking at the other fanfic: Of Skylarks and Plums
ZacharyStella: THANK YOU SO MUCH! XD
Spirit kagome: ME TOO! I have been anticipating for her return. Actually, I wanted her to appear again earlier than chapter 14, but it was somehow impossible. .
Dark Gothic Lolita: Black-haired woman has been revealed! XD
SoulMaka: YUP. I intentionally made their names Marie and Antoinette. XD And thank you for appreciating my stories, even if they're not really good. :)