The head peeking over the door surprised her, primarily because outside of stuttered pleasantries, he hadn't tried to interact with her.

"Was there something you needed?"

He squeaked and reared back, as though surprised she had seen him before he hesitantly entered her room. His mother had been kind enough to give her board without asking any questions, but there hadn't been any extra rooms, so she and Bianchi split the room. As someone used to her own space it hadn't been easy, but it had been surprisingly enjoyable.

She'd been lucky enough they'd had extra futons, but Nana and Bianchi had gone shopping later and bought decorations, which Bianchi had been kind enough to help her hang on her side of the room. The younger Sawada stared at them now as he stepped in, likely surprised that the house he'd spent most of his childhood had changed so much in so little time.

As always, he was accompanied by the two other guardians. Unlike their boss, who seemed preoccupied by the changes, neither young man seemed very comfortable. She bit back the urge to snort. If it wasn't for how heavily injured one was, she might have anyway.

Sawada finally seemed to gather himself from looking around the room when Reborn brought his attention back by kicking his student, literally, into action.

"Spit it out Dame-Tsuna. A boss should never keep a lady waiting." Reborn ordered.

Said no good boy huffed, but turned to her. When he did, all courage seemed to disappear and he was once again left a stuttering, flushed mess.

"A-ano…" He glanced desperately at his friends, who offered him encouraging looks. He took a breath and started again.

"I just - how why you… I mean, how. How training?" The words came out rushed, almost strangled.

"Training?" She raised an eyebrow. He nodded.

She was slightly surprised because he hadn't asked about if before. She had thought he'd already been aware, with Reborn reporting it to him. Though now that she thought about it, Reborn was hardly that sort of person.

"It's going well I suppose." Really she was more intent on figuring out what he was here for. Figuring this conversation would take a while, at least if he was as eloquent as usual, she rested her face in her hand on the table.

"Is that all?" She asked.

"No!" The sudden shout surprised her. And him from how he immediately adopted a sheepish look.

"I- I just wanted to know how y-you were doing." He managed to stammer out. She saw the tall dark haired boy, Yamamoto, shoot him an encouraging smile.

"I'm doing fine." She said slowly, not seeing the point of the conversation.

He fidgeted. "A-are you adapting o-okay?"

Oh, so this was what this was about. He was checking up on her. Well she supposed a boss was supposed to manage their subordinates. "I'm fine. Nana-san and Bianchi were kind enough to give me anything I needed, and a few extras." She gestured around at the decor.

He nodded slowly, seeming to take in her words.

"And…" He paused, as if trying to find the words. "About tomorrow?"

Ah, this she had expected. He was trying to determine if she was ready for tomorrow's bout. "I'm fully prepared to take on Levi A. Than." She said.

"No," he shook his head rapidly. "Not that."

"I see." Even though she really didn't. "Then what?"

He fiddled with his hands, looking down at his intertwined fingers before looking shyly back up at her. He looked like he was preparing himself for an arduous task, and she wondered just what she had done that he was so nervous around her. While it was amusing, and rather good for her ego, she found it curious since she'd seen him talking back to Bianchi, though only when she was in a mood to entertain him.

She stared him down, mentally urging him to hurry up. As if he could read her thoughts, he finally spoke, blurting it out as though she'd dragged it out of him. "You don't have to fight."

"Excuse me?" Her hand dropped immediately and she was on her feet like they were. And ready to fight if she had to. "What's that supposed to mean?"

He stared back at her with wide eyes, clearly not expecting such a response, which she thought was ridiculous if he was going around making such stupid accusations. Bianchi's brother glared at her, hackles raised. The other boy eyed her watchfully despite his smile.

"Are you trying to insult me?" She asked with forced calm. If this was his way of protecting her as a woman, or some other bullshit sexist old school mafia thinking, she'd kill him.

"N-no!" He waved his arms frantically, looking terrified. She would have felt worse about scaring the boy out of his mind if he hadn't said something so outrageous.

"So tell me," she bit out the words, trying to keep her voice level. "Exactly why am I not supposed to compete when your male guardians have?"

He blinked at her a few times, before understanding suddenly filtered.

"It's not t-that." He said. "I just…I don't want to force you."

She stared at him. "What." Exactly how was she being forced into this?

He rushed on, as though afraid to run out of steam now that the words were coming. "You came all the way from Italy, just to fight. I don't know what deal they made. Or if you're being forced into it. And - and the others got so injured, and I don't want that to happen to you, too. So you don't have to fight if you don't want to."

She stared, finally understanding why he'd come. So he was concerned about her. And given how brutal Sasagawa and Gokudera's fights had been, it was understandable. She relaxed, knowing he wasn't looking down on her so much as he was worried about continued suffering.

"Thank you," she said finally, "for worrying, but I chose to be here. I'm not being forced, and I want to do this." She looked him in the eye. "I will fight. And I will win."

He looked conflicted, but nodded his acceptance.

And as if suddenly realizing he was barging in in a girl's room, flushed, bowed, and hastily dragged his friends out.

Once again, she was left alone with Reborn.

"It seems like you misunderstood him." The bastard had the gall to smirk.

"Yes." She stared at him. "Give him my apologies."

"Do it yourself."

She rolled her eyes at him. It was surprising how quickly awestruck wonder had turned into irritated fondness. While the brat directed most of his devious machinations towards the little boss, they'd managed to get into the habit of regular banter. She suspected it was because he could find it with no one else in the house.

"You're misinterpreting him." He said suddenly.

"What?" She asked, not quite understanding what he was talking about so suddenly.

He continued. "He's not worrying as your boss. He's worried because he considers you a friend."

"Friend?" The thought boggled her mind. "Him?" The boy who couldn't even look at her without struggling to speak?

"He's not the usual boss." Reborn said. And with that he strode out.

"Nervous?"

She turned to face Bianchi. The other woman had been kind enough to come support her. "I would be an idiot if I wasn't." She retorted as she extended the umbrella to cover them both. It was just her luck that she'd be fighting in the rain.

And it wasn't light rain either. Considering the perfect weather over the past few days, it was almost ironic how it heavily it was raining. Thunder boomed as lightning flashed. For a moment, it illuminated the sky in an unearthly light.

Bianchi smiled. "It's no small thing to face a member of the Varia."

She sighed, "Of course not." She held up her hand. "Look at how I'm trembling."

Bianchi gave her that wry smile again. If nothing else, she would have someone here to mourn if she died here tonight.

They stood separated from the little boss' group, for which she was thankful if the shouting was any indication. They'd tried to include her in their chanting, but she'd cried off.

"I have no idea how they have so much energy." She shook her head. Both in admiration and in disgust.

"The wonders of youth." Reborn said from at her side. It seems he, too, had grown tired of the company of adolescent boys.

Immediately, Bianchi's attention turned to him, gushing over the tiny hitman. Even though she knew it wasn't the hitman's true form she still found the sight disturbing.

"I am too old for that nonsense." Ran agreed. She shared a commiserative glance with the other two, longsuffering as they were. She may have only been a few years older than the little boss, but it felt like eons sometimes. And from the look on Bianchi's face, she agreed. Or perhaps it was because neither of them could remember having such a carefree childhood.

And Reborn. Well, the less said about his side the better.

"Don't say that. What matters is that you're young at heart." Bianchi said. She had her arms wrapped around Reborn like he was some stuffed animal. What was almost as ridiculous as the sight was the fact that he was allowing it.

"You're seventeen, not seventy." Ran immediately retorted. Bianchi might play the older sister role for the others, as she'd seen over the past few days, but she herself was hardly past highschool.

Then sighed, "Well at least I can die knowing I had a crazy hitman, a crazy hitwoman, and some misplaced middle schoolers cheering for me. Wonderful."

"Don't say that!" The sudden exclamation made her turn to the little boss in surprise. She'd noticed him walking towards them, most likely following Reborn. And with him came the rest of his posse. But it was the vehemence of the declaration that took her by surprise.

For someone who'd barely been able to do more than stutter a few words in her presence, the passion of his words took her aback momentarily. But then she realized what it was about the dark humor that might have set the little boss off, if his passionate words at Gokudera's round were any indication.

"I'm only joking." She said.

"S-still." For once, those wide brown eyes met her own squarely. "Don't say you're going to die."

She blinked. "Alright."

"You won't die." He continued. For a moment there seemed to be flickers of orange in his eyes as he looked at her. She'd read about active sky flames. She'd never met anyone with active, powerful sky flames as they were mostly found in the upper echelons of the mafia, but she'd read about them. And hunted for every piece of gossip she could find. And oh, the things she'd heard of the Vongola skies.

She could almost believe he had read her fate. Or that should it dare try and pass, he would fight it with all his might.

What an irony. The little brat who could barely look her in the eye, and was only barely able to do it now, was ready to fight for her. A cowardly little lion. It brought a wry little smile over her face and she couldn't resist raising a hand and ruffling his hair.

"Alright. I won't say it again." She agreed. He seemed to be about to protest, so she pat his head. "I'll be fine."

She'd always had a odd little fascination with cute cuddly things and the little boss counted in both categories.

"You're actually kind of adorable, aren't you?"

He pouted beneath her hand and she had to stop the smile from growing. He was adorable in a tiny fluffy animal sort of way.

The silver haired brat on the other hand immediately took offense. "Don't belittle Juudaime, woman!"

To which their little swordsman friend interjected, and his ire turned towards him. And the white haired boy, despite being so injured he could barely stand, immediately aggravated him further.

"You have a boisterous bunch." She said to the little boss. Her hand returned to her side.

He seemed both flustered and stunned. She supposed it was fair, given she hadn't spoken to him before this. But he really was too easy to frazzle.

He nodded absently, looking over the rapid little group with a far away look.

"I'm sorry you have to be here." He said to her.

She blinked, not having expected his sudden declaration when he immediately cut in. "I-I mean, I'm sorry I dragged you into this situation. I don't want anyone to suffer because of me."

He was still looking in the direction of his little band, who hadn't yet recovered from their injuries.

"You're an odd little boss." She said.

He turned to her, head snapping at how quickly he turned, "I don't want to be a mafia boss!"

So she'd heard. Multiple times over the past week. But this time, she studied him. "So it seems."

He seemed unsure how to react to that and she didn't say anything more.

Instead, her eyes turned to the school building. They were early and neither the Varia nor the Cervello had yet arrived. With the state of the storm, she half expected the mercurial assassins to complain and demand a rescheduling.

Out of the corner of her eyes she saw him shift nervously, eyes darting to the floor. "You don't have to fight."

She turned back to him. "What did I say about not insulting me?"

He flushed again. "I know. I-I just overheard what you said to Bianchi and I didn't want you to fight if you don't have to."

Once again she studied him. This was the little boy who was trembling at the thought, but was ready to fight for her if she decided walk away. "You're a genuinely good person, Sawada."

He flushed again, likely the third time in as many minutes. And screeched. "Eh?!"

Poise would be a difficult lesson for him. From the grimace that momentarily covered Reborn's face, he was well aware of the uphill battle he was facing.

She waited until she had his attention again. "Don't mistake me. I'm here because I want to be."

And she was. She hadn't been forced or coerced. She had walked into this knowing she might not walk out even with Iemietsu's promises. She would have been a fool to expect otherwise.

"Don't worry, no matter what, I absolutely won't die." She said.

He looked unconvinced.

"But-"

She sighed. "Sawada, is there a reason you're so worried about me? More than the others?"

He looked sheepish and she knew her answer. She hadn't earned his regard. And despite his face, he had to have some potential if he was able to defeat a Vindice prisoner. She would have to prove her words.

A wry smile cut across her face. She wasn't the type to explain more than necessary. It was difficult to give out her cards so easily.

"I'm stronger than I look. Remember, I was born into a mafia family, Sawada. Of course I learned to protect myself."

"But can you really hold up against a member of the Varia?" She noted he didn't say win. And she knew why. After he'd spent so much effort convincing Gokudera to throw the fight, she was well aware he would prefer she prioritize her life over victory.

Even if it would put them at two losses.

"That's the question isn't it?" Seeing his frown, she placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Levi is the weakest of the Varia. They all rely on one specific ability they've honed, which makes them perfect assassins, but not perfect combatants." It wasn't just a rumor that the Varia only took missions with an absurd likelihood of their success. If it had been any group but such a skilled force, they would have been ridiculed for it, but there were few outside their reach.

"But his strength is your weakness." He said quietly. She jolted in surprise, eyes flicking down to Reborn, who tilted his fedora and smiled.

She knew then that the baby hadn't told Sawada. No, he'd figured it out himself. It wasn't surprising since he was a brawny man and she was a young girl, but it took a surprising amount of insight when she noted what he was hinting at.

"You're right." She said. His eyes widened in horror. "But that's not everything.

"Watch me. Maybe you'll learn something for your own fight."

He spluttered. It was soon cut off however when lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating two female figures on the roof.

"We should head up." Bianchi said, having also spotted them.

"It's almost time." Gokudera added, eying his watch. Like she wasn't counting down every second.

They trekked up to the top, and the sight at the top had her blinking. There were giant metal structures surrounding the roof, almost like a handrail for giants.

"What are these?!" Sawada screeched, his voice reaching heights she doubted her own could.

Whether or not it was a rhetorical question, the Cervello answered him. "This is the Electrico Circuito. It will be the battleground for the lightning guardian."

He looked even more horrified. His eyes landed on her and she sighed before he could restate she didn't need to fight.

Her eyes moved back to the arena. And the figure that stood in the middle of it. Drenched to the bone, he should have looked a sorry figure. But the look in his eyes took it out of the question.

With his beastly features, spiked hair, and that murderous gleam, he looked like a nightmare. The thunderous sky and flashing lightning made it a scene right out of a horror movie. Then again, the Varia were probably living horrors.

No, it was better not to go down that line of thought. The Varia had a well earned reputation, and one that if she thought about too much would make her lose her confidence. That was the last thing she needed before a fight.

She fought the urge to take a deep breath, and instead tightened her fists. No matter what happened here, she wouldn't die. And she had her own ways of ensuring she didn't take too much damage.

She could do this. Or rather, she had to do this. She'd been wanting to branch out, to separate herself from the rest and she knew well that the only way to truly grow was by taking that risk.

She'd known that from the beginning, but it was different facing a Varia member head on knowing what she did. But, now that she was facing him head on, her stomach was in her feet, she realized something.

There was a part of her that wanted to win because it was good for her career, would give her notoriety. It would warn any unbridled clients if she had the past of defeating a member of the Varia.

That was the part of her that strategized this battle. The ambitious portion that knew she needed to fall to get up stronger. Or at least that was part of her.

Another part of her wanted to flee. To leave then and there. The part of her that hadn't wanted to show up.

But the largest part of her? The most intrinsic part of her, her very core, demanded she win. Not for any large goal or ambition, but simply to destroy this fool who had challenged her.

She squared her shoulders and walked towards the middle.

She would win.

She would win completely and unconditionally. There would be nobody after this who heard and thought it was anything but a one-sided battle.

Levi glared at her and she glared back. And nearly didn't notice the arrival of the rest of the Varia.

"Now that both challengers are here, I can explain the rules." The Cervello spoke from the side. "The floor has a special conductor. Any strike of lightning will strike with several times it's regular potency."

What the hell? How was anyone supposed to survive that? Was this a tournament or a method to kill off both contenders? There was no way a normal human could survive that.

But Levi remained where he was, so she stood still as well. If the fool wanted to die so quickly, she'd help him with that.

The pink haired woman directed her next words to her. "Your opponent has been waiting for two hours already."

She heard someone choke from behind her. And she agreed. What kind of idiot…

Idiot. Idiot.

Well, that would be useful. She carefully tucked that information for future use.

"The battle for the lightning ring, Levi A. Than vs Constanza Brunetti may begin." The Cervello declared.

Her opponent remained standing on his side, obviously trying to figure her out. At least he wasn't a complete idiot.

He glared, but then he smirked. "They send me a little girl?" He sneered. "This'll be a piece of cake."

Nevermind. He was a moron.

"Xanxus' dog? Maybe if you can stop your ass-kissing long enough to try." She taunted back.

Across from her, she saw Belphegor grin and Squalo laugh. On her side, she heard scandalized gasps, whether from her language or her taunting she didn't know.

"Why you-" Leviathan glared.

"Oh come on. Everyone knows you're the weakest member of the Varia." She grinned widely. "Whose dick did you suck to get in?"

His eyes flared and his hand moved to the parasols on his back. She immediately took a step back, taunting all the while.

"I mean, come on. There's no way the likes of you could get in." She grinned sharply. "Everyone knows you're the weakest link."

He grit his teeth and she laughed, adrenaline overwhelming her fear. It felt good to let loose. To not have to hold back her tongue. And he couldn't do anything about it because it was a duel.

And who didn't have a little trash talk in a fight?

"Does the Varia know they have a dunce in their ranks?"

She dodged to the side as he thrust his parasol at her. The air hissed and she knew that if it had hit her it would have gone straight through her.

Her grin stiffened but she refused to back down. "Spending all your time on porn sites. Obviously you can't get a real girl."

He slashed. "Poor guy. Unlucky in love. Unlucky in looks. Unlucky in personality. You don't have anything going for you."

"Shut up!" He roared back at her. A red hue had crossed his cheeks when she'd mentioned the porn sites, but was quickly gone when she'd kept talking.

"What a pathetic old man." She stepped back, just narrowly avoiding a strike. "Devoted to a boss who doesn't even notice you."

"Boss notices me." He protested, parasol dropping momentarily to retort to her words. It was almost a relief given that if she'd been actively thinking of them, the speed of his attacks would have made it hard to think of insults, but the words slipped out almost by themselves. Naturally.

But she didn't fail to notice his reaction. He'd been irritated by her words, but it was only when she'd mentioned Xanxus that he'd lost his concentration.

She took that moment to strike. She leapt off the ground and landed a kick to his left knee and he immediately keeled over.

"Are you sure?" She pulled back and used that moment to throw the knife she kept by her wrist at him. He dodged, but it was too late. The knife landed just above his knee and Levi roared in pain.

"How'd an idiot like you almost become a professor?" She jeered.

She took the chance to swipe the other knife she'd hidden in her sleeves at his exposed nape, but she barely had a scratch before she was forced to leap back to avoid the outstretched fist.

"Not the brightest, huh?" She taunted as she landed on her toes.

He growled at her, using his parasol as a crutch to get back to his feet. And then, wrapping a fist around the knife, he pulled it out and tossed it to the side. It landed with a clang to the side.

She was mildly impressed he'd even managed to get to his feet, let alone pull it out and remain ready to fight. Clearly, his endurance was something to admire.

And that was the problem. She couldn't let this become a battle of attrition or it would be one she would lose. She needed to end this fast.

But that was easier said than done. If he could shake off a knife, then what would it take to keep him down?

"You idiot!" Squalo roared. "Get your head on track. She's distracting you."

Levi looked back at him momentarily, apparently surprised by his words.

"Shishishi, you're so pathetic, Levi." Belphegor laughed. Mammon laughed with him.

Levi ignored him, which made her frown. He hadn't looked away from her since she'd landed an attack and the intensity of his gaze had increased. Damn.

She just made this even harder on herself. Whatever advantage she'd had when he was underestimating her was gone. Now, he wouldn't be holding back.

"You may have landed one attack, but you won't land another. Not on my honor as Boss's subordinate." He vowed.

She kept her face still even though what she really wanted to do was scowl. He was taking this seriously and the taunts wouldn't distract him anymore. She could see it in his eyes. Now, there was unerring focus.

But before either of them could do anything, lightning crashed. For one moment the world went white, and the sight seared her eyes. Luckily, it was too far to hit her, but the sheer force of it sent tiny shocks down her arms and her hair crackled.

But even seconds later, all she could see was that whiteness. She blinked a few times, hoping to unseat her eyes.

It was only his roar that alerted her he was attacking.

So she took a chance. Instead of dodging to either side, she fell to the floor and swept out her leg. He grunted as he hit the floor.

Her vision finally cleared and she climbed on top of him, taking out the dagger and brought it down with all her strength.

But it wasn't enough. His hands caught her arms, stopping the dagger in its tracks. She struggled for a moment, but was unable to move. His grip on her arm tightened for a moment before he flung her across the floor.

But he'd thrown her too hard, with too much force, and she landed on her feet. But just barely. She stumbled, and with a curse, flung the dagger at him as he struggled to his feet. He rolled and it missed by a hair.

He climbed to his feet before she could throw the knife as well. With a grimace she tore off the bracelet on her wrist.

It had been something she had been hoping to avoid using. A vain, and likely foolhardy, hope. But now she had no choice.

It elongated instantly, one side turning into a double edged blade while the other formed an ornately decorated hilt.

"A saber." Levi's eyes narrowed at the weapon.

"You're not the only one with a weapon." She smirked.

But there was a reason she hadn't brought it out till now. In a contest of strength, Levi would win hands down. She'd looked into how he wielded his weapon, and for all that it looked like an umbrella, he wielded it like a sword.

His reach was longer than hers and in a contest of strength she had no hopes of matching him.

She rushed forward, thrusting just like he had. But he knew as well as she did how to avoid a thrust, and dodged to the side even as he raised a parasol to sweep her sword to the side.

"Watch out!" She heard someone shout from behind her. One of her own.

Instantly alert, she jumped back, head moving just in time to see the dark gleam in Levi's eyes.

"Too late."

I now have a Tumblr account. Crumbs to keep you satisfied till my next update. Link is on my profile page.