The mess made by Ottavio seemed to have been so long ago now that Alpha, Volore, and I were gathered in front of the Cavallone estate for our raid. Squalo's team looked unfazed by the loss of one of their officers. No one questioned Koge's absence, they probably just thought he was still working on helping Romario with the info.
The Varia was in full uniform tonight-minus Squalo who was in a black tee and jeans. Dino had joined us, not to come on the raid but for a short pep talk. He blinked at Squalo owlishly, gaping and pointing like an idiot.
Finally, he managed to say, "Are those my clothes?"
I shrugged, "Does it matter? He needed a change and he certainly wasn't going to fit into mine."
Dino was pouting, glancing at my attire and then Squalo's, "You're matching."
I rolled my eyes, "If you've got nothing to say, leave. You're wasting time."
"Ah…" He gathered himself momentarily, "I just wanted to wish you well. Make sure you all come back in one piece, okay?"
"Feh." Was Squalo's response.
I laughed quietly, "Alright. Then let's get this over with. My teammates are Volore and Alpha."
I gestured to them in turn and paused, waiting for Squalo.
He looked awkward as he tilted his head toward his group, "These guys are the Varia's current officers-Lussuria, Belphegor, Mammon, and Leviathan."
I continued, gesturing to Squalo, "Superbi Squalo-senpai, we went to school together."
Squalo's men were waiting for him to introduce me as well. They almost seemed to be expecting something.
"Err… Hibari Kira. She's the one the boss went to see in person before…"
They were all looking at me with different eyes now. I suppose it's because I had been at the end of Xanxus' gun and lived to tell the tale, not that I thought it was a special feat.
"Let's move." Squalo and I said at the same time, breaking the short moment of silence.
We crammed into a single limo and adjusted our headsets in a silence that didn't last for long. My guys weren't very talkative but some of Squalo's guys sure liked to talk, especially that Lussuria.
"You've got to be kidding about the boss personally checking in on you." Lussuria sneered at me, "Why would he waste his time on that?"
In a quiet growl that didn't suit him, Squalo said, "I hand-picked her."
The most noticeable thing about these guys was their lack of respect for Squalo. They didn't find him intimidating or scary. It was a sign of their mutual strength.
Belphegor was laughing, "Ushishishi, we all know that doesn't mean anything to the boss."
"And she's just a little girl." Leviathan's facial hair moved as he talked.
Volore and Alpha were immediately holding me down. "Little" was a taboo word and they knew it. Thrashing against them I managed to kick Leviathan's jaw and put him out in one blow.
Even though I had just put down their ally, the Varia didn't seem to give a damn. They were actually howling with laughter.
"Lucky shot." Squalo managed between his laughs, "But that's what he gets for underestimating people."
Sitting in this group, no one scolded me for unnecessary violence and no one thought I was wrong for proving my strength. Now, they knew why Xanxus had come to scout me.
"That takes a lot of skill." Lussuria admitted and then he proceeded to attempt to wake Leviathan by slapping his head, "Out cold."
"Told you." Squalo snorted, "She's a waste to leave with Cavallone."
"We're not leaving her. He got to her before us. That's all!" Lussuria on first glance was way too flamboyant to be an assassin. He dramatically enunciated his points with his hands and spoke in a higher tone of voice, "And how exactly did Cavallone get to her first?"
"Classified." I grumped.
But Squalo disregarded my attempt to cover up my private life, "She's dating him."
"Ara~" Lussuria's sunglasses glinted despite the lack of light, "Dating? Well, we can offer that too! Squ-chan, show her your moves!"
Squalo, despite being an elite assassin who slays people with no hesitation, was extremely embarrassed by this type of joke, "Shut up!"
Alpha was sneering at Squalo in silence. I simply laughed as Lussuria pitched forward dramatically to lean in close to me.
"A word of caution though." He said, "If our boss had his eye on you before the coup, the only reason he didn't bother bringing you with us by force is because he knew you'd come to us after. The boss always gets what he wants."
I didn't know what to make of that statement. I suppose he was implying that Xanxus knew I was drawn to strength. Maybe he thought I'd join if he won against the incumbent Don Vongola during the coup.
I chose not to comment, "We're here."
We had definitely arrived earlier than planned. It was going well. Getting out, it seemed the Varia had no reason to stick with our initial plan anymore.
Grinning like lunatics, the Varia's officers took to the forefront, "Let us take care of this. We're more than enough."
Lussuria turned and held a finger to his lips, "Consider this a show of our talents. You'll definitely be joining us after you see us in action."
I'm being recruited and they're doing the fighting and showing off?
"How desperate are you for new members?" I snickered as their faces contorted into disgusted grimaces, "We should be demonstrating our strength, should we not?"
Volore raised his shield, "That's more like it. Let's go!"
We turned and charged in, leaving the Varia to rush after us in a hurry. Volore went barreling in with his shield raised, Enemy response was delayed. We had successfully taken them by surprise.
Grasping Volore's shoulder, I leaped over his shielding form with my gauntlets on. Bullets whistled by from behind. Alpha was on the move.
I rushed through the guards, slamming my gauntlets into their throats as I went by. I charged for the basement. Knocking down two more armed men as I went by and cracking an additional man's head open against a nearby doorframe, I grinned as Alpha warned me of my hasty actions. Today, I felt hyper-aware of my strength.
I screeched to a halt as the stairs to the basement exploded in front of me. Before the flames quelled, I charged through. I slammed the basement door to the floor and dropped into the basement alone.
Seven children were huddled in the corner, horrified. One especially small girl lifted her hand, mouth agape, and pointed behind me.
But I didn't need her help. I spun, stopping two bullets with my armored hands. The guards down here gasped in surprise. The one on the left raised his gun. My fist had gone smashing into his teeth and then his gut. I turned to finish the second attacker and scowled as Squalo dropped down from above and took him out in one clean swing.
"Not bad." He grumbled, bloodied from fighting his way through the crowd above. It was a look I'd never seen before.
Usually, Dino's men don't walk around with the blood of their enemies splattered on them like a trophy but Squalo and the Varia were a totally different case.
"You're kind of a solo act." He continued, putting his sword away. He came up beside me, assessing me, "Looks like you didn't take any damage. You'll pass."
"Pass what?" I huffed, shutting an eye when he reached over to wipe a splash of blood from my face, "You're already trying to recruit me so I know this wasn't a test."
"Heh." He looked satisfied with my now-cleaned face and he snorted, "I'm not testing you. I know you well but the boss is going to want to test you."
"Isn't that what he was doing when he chased me with a gun that day?"
"That was then… This is now."
Fair enough. I'd do the same if I were him. Squalo's guys peered down over the staircase at us, not surprised to find us totally fine. We almost forgot about the rescued kids. If it weren't for Alpha, I would've just gone home.
I was clearly just in it for the fight. At this point, rescuing them no longer interested me. It was just one more point to a game I was already playing-the side chapter among the main plot. I was more interested in testing my strength again and again. The flames of a passion I forgot I had were burning brightly once again. The Varia excited me.
My phone was now ringing, shattering this temporary haze of being one of them.
"What do you want?" I demanded not checking who was calling or bothering with a greeting.
"Kira, Romario needs reinforcements." Dino's voice sounded breathless and shaky, "I… We don't have all the info but I think he was discovered during reconnaissance. His transmission was cut."
"Shit." I had pulled Koge away to look into the location of Xanxus so Romario was alone.
Dino was impatient, "Can you help me?"
"Where are you?" I demanded, why does he sound like he's in a rush?
"Romario's not the only one. I lost contact with Michael and Baro too." He admitted, "I'm heading to the location of their last transmission."
"Alone?" That's not good.
"With a handful of guys."
That's just as bad as going alone. That means I have to go to Dino. Whoever is going with him probably sucks and won't be able to protect him.
"Squalo-senpai! I need to go. We need to take a detour."
"What's the deal? We came in one car!" He was loud again now that the operation was done.
"Some of Dino's guys are in trouble. I'm the reinforcements." I grumbled, "Alpha, call these guys another car and call one for me."
"Milady?" Alpha was right to call me out on the third vehicle.
"You and Volore need to go save Romario. I'm heading to find Dino." I sighed, "And call Koge. Tell him it's urgent and we need him back. Dino will send us the locations."
"We'll help." Squalo grinned when I looked back in surprise, "We haven't had enough! You take your guys one way. We'll go the other way."
I hesitated. Alpha was already requesting Koge's immediate return to base.
"Okay. One car, Alpha." I grumbled, "The Varia will just use this one."
Info came in from Dino's end and I requested his location too but never got it from him. Koge had returned to base and he was letting me know that he would locate the young Don Cavallone using our tech.
I showed Squalo a picture of Romario and texted him the location. I put my faith in their strength. I watched them cram in the car we had come in and drive away. The requested vehicle arrived and we loaded up. Alpha took the wheel and Volore and I reviewed Dino's location (or at least what Koge knew about it) until we had arrived.
I sighed, "I can't believe them."
Volore was laughing, "We went to battle with the coolest guys I've ever met. Now, we have to go rescue some losers. What a lame situation."
I had to admit that it was kind of lame. We were rescuing OUR people now. We went from hero to zero here. We didn't even have time to celebrate our victory.
Sharing a piece of Squalo's Varia Quality victory was probably not a good thing for morale. Volore, Alpha, and I all respected strength. Now that we've seen real strength, going back to our normal lives sounds like a downgrade.
Rescuing Dino was uneventful for the most part. He was, as expected, holding his own. It was the team he brought with him that was shabby. We easily took their places, ordering them to go to the limo we had arrived in.
Dino looked back at us, demanding, "Why are you here?! Where's Romario?"
"Varia's going." I shrugged, "They'll take care of him."
"You don't know that!" He was mad at me for coming here instead of going to save his right hand man, "Go back for him!"
In combat, I ignored him. The enemy was wiped out between my team and Dino. Michael's recon squad was saved and we even took a prisoner.
Shortly after, Squalo was calling and I answered immediately, shooing Dino away, "Did you get him, senpai?"
It was not Squalo. Lussuria's sing-song tone came across the line, "Yes, but if you join us will I be, Luss-senpai?"
"... No." I huffed, watching my team restrain Dino, "That's reserved for Squalo-senpai."
"Oh boo…" He joked, "Anyways, we've got your guy. He's real beat up. They were torturing him when we got here. Hopefully, he doesn't know any info that could ruin you."
"... That's Dino's right hand. He knows everything."
"...Well then, I hope he didn't blab." He sounded like he really didn't care either way, "We gave him first aid but Squ-chan wants to know where you want us to take him."
"We frequent a hospital close to the estate." I told him, "I'll text you the address."
"Okay. Well, Squ-chan and I will meet you there with your guy. The rest of the squad is heading home."
I agreed, dragging Dino into the car. My team was already there and waiting.
"How could you, Kira?" He was still going on and on about how I left Romario to Squalo, "He could've died."
"You could have died." I rolled my eyes at his antics, "Alpha, drive."
"Yeah. The Varia's cool." Volore grumped, "So we had no doubts. You're welcome, brat."
Dino was clearly not grateful, glaring at him in silence.
"They even took Romario to the hospital. What more could you want?" I sighed, "We're going to the hospital to meet them now so you need to stop this childish attitude and thank them."
"I will! But you… You abandoned Romario and defied my direct orders!" He shouted, making Volore scowl, "I know you don't like it but I'm capable. Romario is not good at fighting. If he needs help, we should save him!"
"Then you should've gone to save him."
"I trusted you! I needed to save Michael!"
"So you abandoned Romario too."
"You were closer!"
I sighed. This was so petty. Romario was safe. Who cares who saved him?
My sigh only antagonized him all the more. His voice getting deeper than it ever had before, he growled, "Alpha, stop the car!"
Alpha slammed on the breaks and in silence, glanced back at us through the rearview mirror. He had been surprised by Dino's tone just like the rest of us and he stopped instinctively. He wasn't the type to follow orders from anyone other than me so something deep in his natural sense told him to obey Dino.
"Kira." He continued in a softer tone, the dominating presence of the future Bucking Bronco was gone, "I understand that you trust Squalo. You were friends in the past but you have to understand that the Varia is not exactly the most loyal. They betrayed Don Vongola and then each other and they'll just as easily betray you."
"Betray?" I didn't really understand what he was saying. How could they betray me when we weren't allies to begin with? Everyone was chasing strength as their ultimate goal. Nothing else should matter in the first place.
Dino's expression remained soft, "I guess I should've told you when I found out but I figured you already knew… The Cradle Affair was a big deal!"
"I figured." I grumbled but really, I didn't care, "But it's over now."
"It's never going to be over!" He told me, "Xanxus is imprisoned for life as a punishment. They might not show it but they're definitely holding a grudge. If you're not careful, you'll get caught up in their next scheme. So promise me you'll be careful around them."
How does one promise to "be careful" around assassins? Even if I am extremely careful, if they wanted me dead, they'd keep trying to kill me.
"Alpha, drive." I grumbled, "We need to meet the Varia at the hospital soon or they'll be angry."
Arriving at the hospital, we got out of the car and Squalo greeted me, "He's alive and awake. We got to him at a good time."
Dino went running into the room not looking back even once.
I sighed, "Well great. Uhh… I know that was an unplanned operation. Do I owe you for your services?"
Squalo looked astounded by the offer, "We said we'd go! I'm not taking your damned money."
Lussuria had seen enough and was now saying, "Squ-chan let her owe us one!"
The tone made Squalo turn red from the neck up, "Shut up!"
Lussuria was now laughing, pulling out his phone to type in an amount, "Listen, Kira. We offer our services for 'yay' amount of money from Don Vongola."
There were a lot of zeros showing on Lussuria's phone screen.
"That's… per hit?" I wasn't sure it was in our budget.
"More or less. And per person." He shrugged, putting away the phone, "But that's only for a perfect hit. If there's damage, penalty. If there's medical bills, out of pocket. We go to war. He gives us fair pay but expenses come off the paycheck."
"What's your point?" I was nervous. We couldn't pay them a lump sum let alone a per person fee. How many guys even went to save Romario?
"We didn't make it in time so he's hurt. Not Varia Quality. We'll cut you a discount."
I nodded, "Okay."
"Squ-chan got your phone number. Yay! Additional discount."
Squalo was sputtering incoherently in the background.
"Now if you join us…" Lussuria was grinning widely as if he had just achieved a victory, "Bring your squad and pay off your debts, sound good?
I stiffened. Honestly, it sounded great. It didn't actually sound like the blackmail it was supposed to be. I should just say yes!
Dino poked his head out, oblivious to our conversation, "Kira! He's totally fine. We're almost clear to head home."
Dino's voice shattered the dream-like lull of the offer Lussuria had made me. I shook my head to clear my mind.
"Okay. Let me know when we're leaving." I waited for Dino to close the door again. I took a deep breath, "I can't. I'll pay. How much?"
"Ara." He seemed genuinely surprised to be refused, "Can you even afford it?"
No. I bit my lip. I didn't know how we would pay but it wouldn't be right if we didn't.
He visibly deflated, "I was joking anyways. Squ-chan would have my head if we took any money from you anyways. Let's just say you owe us one, okay? If we're in trouble, come help us out, okay?"
I nodded solemnly, "It's a promise."
This is the only parallel world out of a million where I made it to this moment in time and chose to make this promise.
