The Varia

Hours later...

Iemitsu decided that Mai would indeed, be alright by herself in regards to ability and speed but she still needed improvement. Particularly her physical strength and endurance so she no longer needed to resort to numbing her pain to keep going...but she is powerful that she didn't even need a ring being a former witch. Its POINTLESS to give her a ring it may as well just be another piece of jewelry for her compared to the boys who needed it to make flame-channeling easier on them. Her last problem is how much power to use on humans so she wouldn't kill anyone. Maim yes, kill no. She believed his son would never want her to kill so she wouldn't for his sake but she definitely could kill...so he taught her the voltage limit of a human's capabilities who have no Flame Training, and those with Flame Training.

Lightning Users however...are another story. They have the natural ability to endure electricity or even a lightning strike...but that depends on how powerful they are, and their resolve to survive said lightning strike. So Mai really has no worries of killing anybody as long as its a lightning user. After that, he left her alone with her godfather, yelling, 'Siri, I need a favor!'

'Well, one down.' Iemitsu smiled. 'Time to check on the other kids.'

xxx

Sirius twitched.

Mai informed him about the Vongola Ring Battle Tradition because there's conflict in the organization so now she, her boss and her side of the family are hard at work.

'You want me to shoot spells at you that's the equivalent of a punch for your physical endurance training?' he sputtered. 'And the harder the better?!'

'Yeah! As it is now, I'm physically the weakest and the Succession Battles are ten days from now!' she cried. 'I keeled over in three hits, so train me!'

'E-even if you say so...'

'You can easily fix me anyway! C'mon, pleeeease? I can't let them down just because I fell in three hits like last time!' again, Sirius twitched. Due to Mai's history as a burglar, she met her match in the school Prefect who is physically strong that she keeled over in three hits in great pain, making her resort to numbing herself to continue on fighting.

'...alright...but this isn't going to be easy, Mai.' said Sirius grimly. 'I'm training you like how they train Aurors in the Endurance Training Department!'

'Whatever as long as it works!'

Sirius sighed, scratching his head.

He really didn't want to do this but a great succession crisis is on the line, and the rings can't go to the wrong people...

xxx

Seven days later...

'How are you feeling, Mai?' Sirius asked her worriedly.

'I'm doing better than last time at least...I can now withstand Hibari-san's strength level when you put more power into those spells.' said Mai. 'And you heal me fast anyway, I have no complaints.'

'I was forced to learn how to heal bruises and bone damage quickly you know!' Sirius snarked out wryly.

'Well your medic skills are getting nicer. Useful for the future, don't complain!' Mai giggled. 'Anyway, you fixed my injuries and clothes with the reparo and that Scourgify is like an instant bath and laundry in one package, I can go shopping for dinner. Anything you like tonight?'

'Something soupy and warm. Its getting cold due to autumn.' Sirius shuddered. 'Its nothing like Britain but still...its only a notch warmer than British winters!'

'Alright, soupy for dinner it is!' and Mai ran off for town.

'...will she really be OK? Now I'm worried.' Sirius muttered as he went home.

xxx

'Something hot and soupy...humm...Sukiyaki and Kenchinjiru then nice hot chocolate with condensed milk...yum~my...' she licked her lips. 'Then marinated savory-sweet unagi to seal the deal...'

A man dressed in black came before her. 'Huh?'

He's obviously here to kill her. 'Are you Varia?'

'So you have the Ring. Give it.' the man commanded.

Mai smiled.

'How about...' she said sweetly when her expression changed. 'FUCK, NO ASSHOLE?!' as soon as Mai hollered, a lightning strike struck the guy causing him to scream in pain and she quickly fled in lightning speed, hopping over many houses in a blitzing pace to look for the others. 'The Varia are here, whatever happened to ten days?! I guess they realized the rings are fake...'

She located Yamamoto, Gokudera and Ryohei, causing her to blitz in front of them.

'Whoa!'

'They're here!' Mai gasped out. 'I was attacked by a Varia lackey five minutes ago!'

'What?!'

'They're here?!'

'Groovy!' Ryohei was however, enthusiastic. 'Where are they, Mai-chan?' he too, met Mai back at the beach. She was easily the most attractive girl he's met he wouldn't forget her any day.

'I left the idiot at third street and ran here using my Hyperspeed...I don't think we should be alone right now...' Mai fretted. Despite her training, she still isn't confident enough on her endurance. 'Tsuna-sama isn't with you?'

'We better find Juudaime fast!' Gokudera cried as they Guardians ran to look for Tsuna who met up with them with Reborn.

'Guys!' Tsuna gasped out.

'Tsuna-sama, they're here!' Mai gasped out. 'An agent attacked me not long ago!'

'Eh?!'

'So they're this fast eh?' Reborn mused as more came.

'And they're here!' Tsuna freaked out as the boys recognized a certain man among them.

'Oh, so its them?' Belphegor scoffed.

'They're just children!' Lussuria wasn't too happy.

'The situation has changed.' Mammon spoke as s/he appeared. 'More Guardians are present.'

'Voi! How dare you trick me, you trash?!' Squalo grinned good-naturedly...or as he could get it.

'It's him!' Tsuna gasped out.

'That bastard...' Gokudera growled out.

'You know that loudmouth?' Mai blinked at Tsuna.

'Long story...'

'Which one of you has the Rain Ring?' Squalo demanded.

'I do.' Yamamoto retorted defensively as Squalo scoffed.

'I'll cut you in three pieces in three seconds!' he said, raising his sword when a hand was put on his shoulder.

'Out of the way.' and he was pulled backward and out came a scarred man. Mai sensed killer intent so she immediately shielded Tsuna and took on the intent herself.

"So this is a true killer...what a presence!" she shivered but she held her ground as her duty as Lightning is to take on everything and draw trouble away from the family. She would not let even a glare touch her boss! Even her fellow guardians are shaken by it.

'I never thought I'd see that face again.' Reborn muttered darkly. 'Xanxus!'

'...Sawada Tsunayoshi...' Xanxus muttered as he began to gather flames.

'Y-you're seriously using that here, boss?!' Lussuria gasped out at Xanxus' potent flames.

'Are you going to get us too?!' Squalo sputtered out.

'Shit!' Mai swore as she gathered enough power herself, ready to defend.

'Mai, his level is different from yours! You can't possibly take it on!' Reborn called out to her but he was ignored.

'Die!' Mai quickly created a barrier but before Xanxus can fire, a pickaxe was thrown in front of him.

'Huh?!'

'Wait, Xanxus.' came Iemitsu's cold voice. 'I'll take it from here.'

'D-Dad?!' Tsuna gasped out and Gokudera freaked out as well.

'Juudaime's father?!'

'...Iemitsu.' Xanxus spoke in a dispassionate manner.

'Why are YOU here?' Squalo demanded, raising his sword.

'Xanxus, are your subordinates going to point their swords at the External Advisor?' Iemitsu spoke coldly.

'Their bloodlust is amazing...' Yamamoto winced at the clashing intents.

'Looks like Vongola is in internal strife and unfortunately we're in the middle of it...what the bloody hell is going on here?' Mai griped as she was wary and not turning her barrier off when she felt a presence watching them. She created a bow and arrow, and fired at the trees...

Out came a pair of pink-haired, dark-skinned masked twins.

'Now what?!' Gokudera griped. 'More of them?!'

'Put your weapon down Fiore!' Iemitsu called out. 'They are not the Varia. They are Cervello!' he said, introducing them. 'Now, I will continue the talking and put that barrier down too!' reluctantly, she obeyed. 'I've been having issues with your conduct and the 9th's approval on it. I sent a letter with my doubts and questions...' and he took out a scroll. 'And this is his answer. A direct order from the 9th.'

'A direct order?' Tsuna braced himself. Due to Mai's circumstances, he learned about his father in advance. How he is CEDEF Boss and External Advisor. A rank equal to that of the boss itself but only in certain circumstances. Otherwise he is what his job says.

'To summarize, it says 'Until now, I thought that Sawada Tsunayoshi, Iemitsu's son is a worthy successor and acted as such. However, perhaps I am close to death, by intuition I changed course and decided on a new successor. My son Xanxus. He is truly worthy of becoming 10th. However, there are those who will be unhappy with the change. This is why Iemitsu fought against handing the rings to Xanxus.''

"Why did you fight dad?" Tsuna thought unhappily. Gone was his chance to go back to a normal life! He didn't even want the job and this mafia business is getting his friends into danger too...!

''-however, I do not wish for my family to fight amongst itself for no reason.'' Iemitsu continued. ''Thus we will begin the decisive battle to decide who will be the official successor through a method we can all agree on.' That's how it says. Vongola Successor Candidate Sawada Tsunayoshi...and Candidate Xanxus!' he called out. 'The Vongola Rings that you both require as a successor...to decide who has a right to these...we'll begin a decisive battle between two families!' He then glanced at the Cervello, giving them the floor.

'During this conflict, we will be the judges.' said twin 2.

'We are the Cervello Organization that serve directly under the 9th.' said twin 1, holding out a decree of order with a flame seal. 'During this conflict, our decisions hold the same weight as that of his.'

'The 9th believes that this measure will please all members within the family.' said twin 2. 'Any objections, Xanxus-sama?' Xanxus just stared. 'Very well.'

'Cervello? Who are they? And are they really under the 9th?' Tsuna asked Reborn.

'Every Mafia Famiglia has a Cervello pair working under the bosses.' said Reborn. 'At times like these, they act like strict, impartial judges strict with rules and regulations without bias, nor supporting any side during a conflict. They judge based on results given by both sides. Other than that, they serve under high positions as special agents. They are what you call efficient, unseen shadows if functioning as such. This is for the sake of preventing accusations of cheating and what-have-you.' he explained.

'Normally, one set of half-Vongola rings are held by the boss, and the other half-set are held by the Advisor.' said twin 1. 'And during the announcement of the successor, the completed set is given to the chosen seven. However, the circumstances this time are different.'

'The sets of seven chosen do not match.' twin 2 continued. '-and each handed out rings to whomever they chose. The seven chosen by the 9th led by Xanxus-sama...and the other seven chosen by the Advisor led by Tsunayoshi, now we'll prove which is more worthy of the rings by having you bet your lives on them.'

'Betting our lives?!' Tsuna balked out.

'The venue is Namimori Middle School, late at night.' said twin 1. 'We will explain the rest of the details there. We will be waiting for you at 11 o'clock tomorrow evening. Well, we take our leave.' They jumped backwards into the trees.

'The school...' Mai sighed in exasperation. 'Hibari's gonna have a cow.'

'Yeah, he's the problem.' Yamamoto chuckled weakly.

'He's definitely not gonna be happy about this...' Tsuna groaned. 'I can imagine him now...'

'Who's paying for the damages? I definitely won't!' Mai huffed, crossing her arms. The middle schoolers sweatdropped as a whole.

'Dad, about that...' Tsuna twitched. 'Who's paying for the damages?'

'Oh, the Cervello will cover them since they decided on it.' Iemitsu pointed out. 'Neither Vongola, CEDEF, Varia or you will pay for it.'

'Phew.' Mammon sighed. 'Good thing about that because I don't want to pay for something I don't care about.'

xxx

'Tomorrow huh? This is nerve-wracking...' said Yamamoto as they headed home together.

'But I'm excited! They seem to be extremely strong guys!' said Ryohei enthusiastically.

'They're strong alright...their bloodlust alone is enough to freeze us which speaks enough.' said Gokudera. 'They're on an entirely different level.'

But Tsuna...is silently scared out of his wits while his guardians conversed about their upcoming matches.