Sweet as Honey (Arashi)

[rin]

Really?... They could have chosen anywhere to put the base and the Varia had decided to put in on the outskirts of an amusement park. This was to flamboyant, even for Arashi. Then again, maybe there was something to be said for hiding in plain sight, since this was the last place most of the mafia would go looking for the all-powerful leader of the Varia. Shaking her head slightly, Rin pushed the thought from her mind. She tried not to focus to hard on her brother's methods, since it only tended to give her a headache and over the years had come to understand why Xanxus had shot at him so many times. Words alone tended to fail you, especially when you were standing in front of the castle gate of what many tended to assume was simply decoration, despite being somewhat off the beaten path.

Without much hesitation, Rin started across the draw bridge and headed inside, ignoring the curious looks from the grunts as she entered. Most of them were smart enough to recognize her or gather some general idea of who she was, simply by her demeanor and manner in which she carried herself. There weren't many who favored the former vice-captain so strongly and wore a sword slung over her shoulder. Besides, despite having given up her position as an assassin, it was widely known that the two were close and her reason for being here probably had something to do with the Captain.

After all, even during her hunt to claim her grandfather's title, Rin had on occasion returned to Italy to visit her brother. Much as the two annoyed each other, they shared many of the same common traits that made them Varia and that wasn't something that could be cleansed with a simple decision to leave. It was in their blood, but what Rin had come for was surprisingly not of her own accord, not this time.

As she made her way up the stairs, she managed to catch a pair of younger men that were coming up the hallway that immediately seemed to notice that she wasn't in uniform. "Voi! Where's the Captain's office?" Rin questioned curiously, earning a surprised and somewhat confused look from the pair, uncertain whether to answer. "Sometime today gentlemen, unless you want to explain the boss why you made his guest late." She added sternly, earning a flinch at the commanding tone, before both simultaneously pointed down the hallway to a door on the right.

"Grazie!" The Rain Guardian chirped in Italian, stepping past them and heading down the hallway to the door. Leaving the two to puzzle over why the heiress of the Superbi family was here of all places, since Arashi normally went out to find her. Offering a quick knock, Rin didn't waste anytime on waiting for a feasible answer and soon turned the knob to step in.

"Voi! Arashi-neesama?" She called out in a surprisingly sweet and almost cute tone, as she stepped in cheerfully, expecting to see him either at his desk or possibly napping on the couch somewhere. Then again, Rin had called to make sure it was alright to come. Unlike most younger siblings, she tended to be somewhat more reserved about simply barging in on him, at least with the exception of when she was mad at him. Otherwise, it was war and all rules went out the window. However, seeing as today was rather special and Rin needed his help, she decided that playing on his weakness for his little sister would get her much farther than doing something like asking him directly for a favor, because that always came with strings and Rin hated being indebted to her big brother. Besides, what was that old saying, more flies with honey?

[ARASHI ARCA]

[atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=valign, top][atrb=style,background-color:6C2811;][atrb=width,100,true] [STYLE=background-color: C3C3C3; width: 114px; padding: 5px; color: 312C18; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; text-transform: lowercase; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 120px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 30px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 30px;]TAGGED:: Rin[/style] [STYLE=background-color: C3C3C3; width: 114px; padding: 5px; color: 312C18; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; text-transform: lowercase; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 30px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 30px;]WORDS:: 490[/style] [STYLE=background-color: C3C3C3; width: 114px; padding: 5px; color: 312C18; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; text-transform: lowercase; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 30px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 30px;]MUSE:: Derp.[/style] [STYLE=background-color: C3C3C3; width: 114px; padding: 5px; color: 312C18; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; text-transform: lowercase; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 30px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 30px;]NOTES::He's doing work. Oh my god. .[/style] [STYLE=background-color: C3C3C3; width: 114px; padding: 5px; color: 312C18; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; letter-spacing: -1px; text-transform: uppercase; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 30px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 30px;]BY ROTOSCOPE of BTN[/style]

[STYLE=width: 100px; height: 100px; border: 5px solid #C3C3C3; float: left; margin-top: 5px; margin-left: -65px; background-image: url(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e37/Chandrisa/Arashi-1-1.jpg); -moz-border-radius: 60px;] [/style][STYLE=text-shadow: #efefef -1px -1px 0px; font-family: georgia; font-size: 9pt; color: #C3C3C3; text-align: justify; letter-spacing: 2px; margin-top: 33px;]you're in a place for fear[/style][atrb=style,background-color:C3C3C3; border-bottom: 6px solid #6C2811;][atrb=width,456,true][STYLE=line-height: 17px; border-bottom: 2px solid #6D110A; padding-right: 4px; font-family: georgia; font-weight:bolder; text-style:italic; font-size: 19pt; color: #6D110A; text-align: center; letter-spacing: -2px; margin-bottom: -16px; text-shadow: #efefef -1px -1px 0px; margin-right: 5px;]Lips are for biting here[/style][STYLE=margin-top: -7px; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; margin: 10px; padding: 7px; text-align: justify; color: #312C18;border-bottom: 2px solid #6C2811;] When it came to the small island of Japan, it was hard to find anyplace that wasn't going to be noticeable - it was small and well-populated, after all. The Varia HQ in Italy, on the other hand, had been there for several generations and was as well-hidden as a giant castle could be. It had been more difficult to establish a base in Japan and the best option was the one Arashi had decided on. As far as anybody was concerned, the Japanese Varia HQ was a simple decorative castle on the outskirts of a mafia training facility and amusement park. For once, Arashi was actually doing some work. Whether it was because he was trying to clean off his desk so he could sleep at it or because he'd put it off long enough was unknown - although it was probably a mixture of both of them. Besides, he had to figure out who was going to wind up teaching the two candidates during the long period of training he was allowing. Neither sides had a full roster of guardians yet, anyway...and while he would have simply loved to have the Sky battle at this very moment in time and let the winner choose their guardians, he knew that it wasn't a wise decision if the Varia wanted the Vongola strong again. Both sides had to have something invested into the Terzo Neo Vongola generation...or it wouldn't work as well. A blinking on one of the answering machines told him the message was from one of his many underlings - this one stationed at the front gate. A simply button pushed put the voice through. "Uhn....B-b-boss....your sister is here," the man stammered out. Apparently she scared him...but that wasn't really surprising, considering Rin was just sort of frightening in general...especially considering who her grandparent was. Turning off the message, Arashi leaned back in his chair, pushed his reading glasses up on his nose - they were mostly for show, although they were quite helpful to be honest. Reading word after word did sort of strain on the eyes a little bit. Kuroshi, who was stretched out on the nice leather couch lazily keeping an eye on his master - to make sure he was actually doing his work. His ears perked forward at the sound of footsteps outside, light yet forceful. Before the knock even came, Arashi's voice sounded out with a simple. "Come in," ...Wait. She was being...cute and sweet...Arashi was almost immediately suspicious of her intentions. Rin was never cute and sweet like that to him unless she wanted something...he might be able to use that at a later point. And besides, when she had called to stop by...he was already suspicious - she never called him unless she wanted something. "I take it you need a favor?" he asked, propping up his feet on his semi-cleared desk and removing the reading glasses from his face. [/style]

[rin]

Stepping inside the office, Rin immediately spotted her brother sitting at his desk, behind some piles of paperwork and with his reading glasses on. It was a sight that instantly earned a smile in amusement, knowing full well that he didn't actually need them, but they did tend to add a bit of maturity that she rarely saw in the Varia Captain. He appeared to be working, which was certainly a nice change and his box animal was lounged out across the nearby sofa as she entered and closed the door behind her to give them more privacy. Moving into the room, Rin offered a faint wave in greeting with a clear smile, ready to chatter away and spend some quality time with her older brother and former boss.

However, before Rin managed to get another word out, Arashi spoke up and questioned what it was she wanted. The words caused her features to drop in one of surprise and disbelief. Surely, she wasn't that easy to read. "Ohhh, that's a mean thing to say, especially after I went to all the trouble to spend my own money to come see you in person." Rin corrected him, in tone that seemed to echo hurt and disappointment at his behavior. Not that she had called him a liar, but it was still rather rude to say when she was trying so hard to be nice.

"Can't a girl come check up on and see how their big brother is doing on occasion, without getting the third degree?" She questioned calmly, moving over to take a seat on a clear spot on his desk next to him, so that Rin could see what he was working on. It was the basic mission reports, but it was somewhat old and probably should have been done weeks ago, but knowing Arashi and his habits, the paperwork had probably been put off for some later date. Apparently, it was either almost due or he'd simply run out of desk space, since that seemed to be the only times he ever bothered to do them of his own accord.

"Honestly Arashi, you've haven't even bothered to call me over the past few weeks. Not since you replaced me with that rookie. I'm starting to think your avoiding me." Rin accused faintly, though that annoyance in her tone with Arashi's decision was evident, as was the genuine hurt that she had to be the one to call him. Sure, she knew that her brother was busy, but that didn't mean he had to avoid her like the plague. They were still family, weren't they? Besides, there was some truth to her words. True, Rin had a motive, but that didn't mean a favor was the only reason she ever wanted to talk to her older brother.

He made it sound like she didn't care about him all and that was hardly the case and actually a little hurtful. However, this was where Rin had long since mastered her brother and even Squalo, in many respects. Although, she hadn't needed to use the technique in years, she was curious if it would still work. "Your... your not avoiding me, are you, Onee-sama?" Rin asked timidly, though if he made the mistake of looking up, it would be hard to miss the faint look that Rain Guardian looked like she might if he'd even jokingly insinuated the answer was affirmative. Those red eyes focused on Arashi as she waited for him to answer with a look that would have made most melt, like finding a puppy caught out in the cold downpour.

[ARASHI ARCA]

[atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=valign, top][atrb=style,background-color:6C2811;][atrb=width,100,true] [STYLE=background-color: C3C3C3; width: 114px; padding: 5px; color: 312C18; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; text-transform: lowercase; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 120px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 30px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 30px;]TAGGED:: Rin[/style] [STYLE=background-color: C3C3C3; width: 114px; padding: 5px; color: 312C18; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; text-transform: lowercase; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 30px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 30px;]WORDS:: 490[/style] [STYLE=background-color: C3C3C3; width: 114px; padding: 5px; color: 312C18; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; text-transform: lowercase; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 30px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 30px;]MUSE:: Derp.[/style] [STYLE=background-color: C3C3C3; width: 114px; padding: 5px; color: 312C18; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; text-transform: lowercase; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 30px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 30px;]NOTES::He's doing work. Oh my god. .[/style] [STYLE=background-color: C3C3C3; width: 114px; padding: 5px; color: 312C18; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; letter-spacing: -1px; text-transform: uppercase; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 30px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 30px;]BY ROTOSCOPE of BTN[/style]

[STYLE=width: 100px; height: 100px; border: 5px solid #C3C3C3; float: left; margin-top: 5px; margin-left: -65px; background-image: url(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e37/Chandrisa/Arashi-1-1.jpg); -moz-border-radius: 60px;] [/style][STYLE=text-shadow: #efefef -1px -1px 0px; font-family: georgia; font-size: 9pt; color: #C3C3C3; text-align: justify; letter-spacing: 2px; margin-top: 33px;]you're in a place for fear[/style][atrb=style,background-color:C3C3C3; border-bottom: 6px solid #6C2811;][atrb=width,456,true][STYLE=line-height: 17px; border-bottom: 2px solid #6D110A; padding-right: 4px; font-family: georgia; font-weight:bolder; text-style:italic; font-size: 19pt; color: #6D110A; text-align: center; letter-spacing: -2px; margin-bottom: -16px; text-shadow: #efefef -1px -1px 0px; margin-right: 5px;]Lips are for biting here[/style][STYLE=margin-top: -7px; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; margin: 10px; padding: 7px; text-align: justify; color: #312C18;border-bottom: 2px solid #6C2811;] Oh. Now she was trying to guilt him for accusing her of such a thing. My my. What a sneaky girl she was Arashi mused inwardly, having already picked out her game. She wanted something, didn't want to admit she wanted something and wanted to guilt him into feeling bad about thinking she wanted something and then asking for something after the guilt. Very smart, that girl...playing upon his attachment to his little sister. Arashi let out a sigh and then glared over at Kuroshi, who hid his general amusement with a situation with a wolfish sneeze. Yawning widely, Kuroshi stretched out along the couch with his head on his paws and dozed off. He muttered something under breath, some sort of apology..."I'll...let one of my subordinates take you home later, then or take you home myself," he offered as he rose to his feet, taking a pile of finished mission reports to a corner of the room, his feet pressing some sort of invisible button on the wall and it slid open - an addition Arashi had added to store old reports - basically archives. Knowing Arashi, there were probably many other additions such as this one dotted around the headquarters. Coming back out, the hidden door slid closed behind him. She was now sitting on the corner of the desk the reports had been sitting. Well...He raised an eyebrow at her accusation of him avoiding her. He wasn't avoiding her...there was just...uh...yeah. Maybe he was avoiding her. Kaoru had been previously moonlighting as a hitman before Arashi had picked him up...so he really had no training besides what he knew as a hitman...Takehiko was another one he picked up, but had barely any education - he wasn't about to inform Rin of that fact especially since he was making sure that Takehiko was getting it from him and occasionally from some of the other grunts who knew what they were actually doing. That tone of voice...oh. She was doing it again. Arashi attempted to resist the urge the look up; however, he seemed to fail at that and managed to catch her puppy-dogged gaze. Oh. She was good. Was her adorable Mist guardian rubbing off on her? It was kind of more adorable than he remembered. "Don't look at me like that...seriously." he stated, looking down at the current report and trying to concentrate on that. But that gaze...argh. He could just /feel/ it boring in him. "I'll...uhmn...visit more?" he ventured, almost awkwardly. What else could he say? "Maybe I'll drag Kaoru with me so you can actually meet him and stop being so annoyed with me for making him my Vice Captain - remember that he wasn't trained by Squalo or Xanxus like we were and there's always room for improvement. Besides, he gets me to do my work - by not doing it either so I eventually have to do it myself...maybe one day I'll give up on trying to fork it off on him..." He doubted it, but it was an interesting thought at least. [/style]

[rin]

It was never really clear where that manipulative little streak in the Rain Guardian had come from, though for those that were old enough to remember, Rin had actually been rather sweet and loving in her younger years. Sometime around puberty, she'd begun to become more independent from Arashi and had started showing more similarities to her grandfather, including some of the more obvious quirks. Then again, while she had her own reasons for the need to demonstrate that she was no one to messed with, Rin occasionally had her moments where she could still be loving with certain individuals. Unfortunately, Arashi was making those attempts far more difficult with his suspicions.

However, he did manage to yield somewhat as he offered for either himself or one of his subordinates take her home. It appeared to be the possibility of him doing it himself though, that earned a cheerful smile in approval. She really could be like a puppy when it came to his attention. Of course, between his work and his relationships, his attention really was scarce these days. It seemed like ever since Arashi had entered high school, it had been that way. Some of the psychological persuasion might have been sharp enough to catch on the correlation between the various changes in Arashi and Rin occurring in such a close time proximity, but for now, it remained unimportant.

Then again, Rin was no one's fool. When Arashi hadn't even bothered to stop by or call, even after she had stayed over at the Inazuma dojo for most of the week, then he was obviously avoiding her. The Varia Captain wasn't the only one who had learned to read his sibling. There was something he wasn't telling her about and it was simply another thing to add to her arsenal as he noticed the look. 'Thank you, Sheeka.' He tried to reaffirm that he would visit more, but as usual brought up that sad excuse for a vice-captain. The last thing Rin wanted was that pest trying to crowd in on what little alone time she had to spend with her brother.

"Or you could just come by yourself and we could grab something to eat? We haven't really had a chance to hang out or do anything like that in a while." Rin suggested, though the faint hint of annoyance could be heard in her voice. Yes, she was being selfish, but she wasn't in the mood to share him at the moment. "Oh! That reminds me... I got you something." She remembered suddenly, reaching into her coat to pull out a gift that was wrapped in shiny red paper with a white ribbon on it. "I kind of meant to give this to you sooner, but since you weren't really around, I never got the chance." The Rain Guardian confessed, glancing down a bit in disappointment

"Anyway, I know that it isn't much, but I still wanted to get you something. Happy Belated Birthday, Arashi." Rin explained with a sincere smile, offering up the gift for him to unwrap. Beneath the pretty wrapping was a simple brown box and inside a black dog collar with silver spikes circling around the outer edge. Rin smiled lightly, recalling his fondness for wearing them around as fashion. Then again, maybe it shouldn't have come as much of a surprise. Rin wouldn't have been much of a sibling if she had forgotten her own brother's birthday and over the years had never missed a single one with the exception of the most recent, if only because he had been avoiding her.

[ARASHI ARCA]

[atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=valign, top][atrb=style,background-color:6C2811;][atrb=width,100,true] [STYLE=background-color: C3C3C3; width: 114px; padding: 5px; color: 312C18; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; text-transform: lowercase; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 120px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 30px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 30px;]TAGGED:: Rin[/style] [STYLE=background-color: C3C3C3; width: 114px; padding: 5px; color: 312C18; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; text-transform: lowercase; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 30px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 30px;]WORDS:: 705[/style] [STYLE=background-color: C3C3C3; width: 114px; padding: 5px; color: 312C18; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; text-transform: lowercase; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 30px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 30px;]MUSE:: Derp.[/style] [STYLE=background-color: C3C3C3; width: 114px; padding: 5px; color: 312C18; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; text-transform: lowercase; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 30px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 30px;]NOTES:: c: He's feeling guilty about avoiding Rin. [/style] [STYLE=background-color: C3C3C3; width: 114px; padding: 5px; color: 312C18; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; letter-spacing: -1px; text-transform: uppercase; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 30px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 30px;]BY ROTOSCOPE of BTN[/style]

[STYLE=width: 100px; height: 100px; border: 5px solid #C3C3C3; float: left; margin-top: 5px; margin-left: -65px; background-image: url(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e37/Chandrisa/Arashi-1-1.jpg); -moz-border-radius: 60px;] [/style][STYLE=text-shadow: #efefef -1px -1px 0px; font-family: georgia; font-size: 9pt; color: #C3C3C3; text-align: justify; letter-spacing: 2px; margin-top: 33px;]you're in a place for fear[/style][atrb=style,background-color:C3C3C3; border-bottom: 6px solid #6C2811;][atrb=width,456,true][STYLE=line-height: 17px; border-bottom: 2px solid #6D110A; padding-right: 4px; font-family: georgia; font-weight:bolder; text-style:italic; font-size: 19pt; color: #6D110A; text-align: center; letter-spacing: -2px; margin-bottom: -16px; text-shadow: #efefef -1px -1px 0px; margin-right: 5px;]Lips are for biting here[/style][STYLE=margin-top: -7px; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; margin: 10px; padding: 7px; text-align: justify; color: #312C18;border-bottom: 2px solid #6C2811;] Arashi could tell that Rin seemed pleased with the idea of Arashi taken her home and he made note to take her home himself, rather than make somebody else do it. She had taken to the time to come see him, after all, so it was the least that he could do for his little sister. He thought about which one of his cars he would taken, as he had acquired a couple over the years as boss. He wasn't much of a car man in general, but he'd rather drive than walk everywhere. Speaking of cars...wasn't it about time Rin started to learn how to drive? She was old enough now. Arashi didn't have any qualms with the idea of Rin driving; however, other people might because he knew Rin would probably wind up having some major road rage and be a general crazy driver - the latter wasn't a problem considering how Arashi drove himself. "It's about time you start learning how to drive, isn't it?" Arashi mused lightly, rolling his shoulders lightly into a shrug. "Maybe I'll start teaching you when I drive you home or something..." It was nice offer, coming from Arashi and probably some fort of apology for avoiding his younger sister. He wasn't much for apologizes, so what she was getting was probably best coming from him. Very few people had ever gotten an apology from the Varia captain because to him - saying sorry was never needed and were what weak people did to prevent potential homicide of their person. When it came to an apology from Arashi, they were sincere because he meant them when he gave them. "Hmn. That sounds like a good idea, actually. I need to get away from all this stuff anyway. All this stuff concerning the Vongola and the Ring Battles is kind of annoying me. Notte's candidate already requested me to help train her...and I think Giorno's is eying me too..." he paused briefly, looking at Rin for a moment as if thinking about something. He shook his head after that thought, deciding that maybe putting a violent fighter with another violent fighter was probably not a good idea...but then again...Rin knew how to control that violence for her own benefit. "Might ask you to help me with Jack Sawada at some point..." he stated idly after a moment. "Or at least his Rain guardian - he's still convinced Ryuunosuke will be his guardian...can't say I blame him about that...Ryuunosuke's probably the best for that position." Considering he knew what it was like to be rejected by the best person for the job...but he wasn't about to mention that...but at least Arashi seemed to have moved on about that and wasn't near as bad as Jack when it came to rejection... Wait. Wait. It had been his birthday? Oh. Right. It had been a couple weeks ago - he'd forgotten it had been his birthday and had to be reminded that it had been by a subordinate...but at least Rin had remembered his birthday, even if he hadn't? When it came to Rin's own birthday, however, he remembered it. His own...he'd never really been bothered with his birthday; however, Rin seemed to enjoy celebrating it. If it wasn't for Rin, he probably would have blown off many of his birthdays. "...At least one of us remembered my birthday..." he commented wryly. "One of my subordinates reminded me this year..." He seemed highly pleased with the newest addition to his collection of spiked dog collars after he had opened the gift that he removed the studded collar he was wearing at the time and replaced it with the newest one. "Thank you, Rin. It's lovely." Leaning back in his chair and stretching, Arashi glanced idly out one of the windows down into the court yard, watching some of the subordinates that were stationed out there a for moment. "I was thinking..." he stated after a moment as he turned his attention back to his sister, but not making eye contact. "I might go see Alma after I take you home." Arashi never went to see /Alma/ specifically...that was reserved for Remo usually...but he has specifically pointed out Alma for that visit. [/style]

[rin]

Rin's face lit up at Arashi's suggestion to teach her how to drive. "Y-ya mean it?" She asked in surprise, unable to hide the smile of excitement at the prospect. Normally, it was expected for the parents to teach their children, but seeing as Rin was somewhat lacking in the paternal department, the Varia Captain was probably her best and only option at this point. Although, it was surprising that Arashi had been the one to offer. Rin assumed when the time came she would have to bug the daylights out him, until he yielded to her demands and only after requesting some large favor in return. Then again, her brother had never been quite gifted when it came to apologizing, instead he had a habit of making it up to her for such wrongs and in this case, maybe she could forgive him this once for avoiding her.

He seemed to approve of the idea, explaining that the fuss over the Ring Battles was getting to him and that the Notte Boss Candidate had already hit him up for training. "Well, I can't say that I necessarily blame them really. If I was going to go into battle, I think that it would only be natural to seek out and learn from the strongest person you know.... After all, they don't call it 'Varia-quality' for nothing." Rin suggested with a faint shrug. Wait. Had did she just give Arashi a compliment? Yes, vague as it might have been. Glancing back over the piles of paperwork on his desk though, Rin soon let out a sigh in disbelief. "Then again, if you'd bothered to chose a competent replacement for vice-captain, you probably wouldn't have this problem and be so overworked." She added with a faint smirk, a clear shot.

Of course, there were reasons Rin had been the first choice. Yes, Kaoru may have succeeded in making Arashi do his paperwork, but it wasn't that impressive. Rather, it could have easily been turned around and been called a failing on Kaoru's part. After all, it was not uncommon that a boss often had more important matters to deal with and it was up to his subordinates to accommodate him by dealing with the minor details of the operations. Otherwise, he would exhaust himself and leave the family vulnerable should war break out. As things stood, the only thing useful the current vice-captain could offer was to bring snacks and watch from the sidelines. That was the problem with rookies though, no experience where you needed it most.

It was then that he suggested her helping the Rain Guardian of the Giorno faction. Of course, he was asking her. She was the Sword Empress and had inherited her grandfather's Rain Flames, becoming probably one of the most talented users of them. However, there was a small problem with that request. "That's an awful big favor to ask. You'd have to take the matter up with Raitaro." Rin reminded him, considering she was his Guardian. "Not that I think he would mind, he's already asking questions about the Ring Conflict. To be honest, I'm not sure what to tell him. His dad has it in his head that he needs to pick a side, but you know how I feel about going against the old man's orders." She added, figuring that it would be best to drop some subtle hints. Besides, men were so much easier to accept a plan that they believed they had come up with on their own. Not that they weren't true. Rin hated the idea of going against Xanxus' decision and would have preferred the Spiaggia remained neutral until it was over, but getting that through to Raitaro was easier said than done.

Arashi soon seemed to remember that his birthday had passed, earning a look of concern from Rin. "You really shouldn't work so hard, you know? It's not good for your health." The Rain Guardian explained, one of the few times that there was some genuine concern for his well-being in her words. Of course, Rin would have been lying to say that she didn't bare some guilt over turning down his offer, especially at times likes this. Arashi wasn't the sort to think about his own health very often, which often required her to make note to monitor his condition, just in case. A smile soon returned as he unwrapped his present though, replacing the collar around his neck and seeming pleased with the girl, which seemed to bring Rin some delight to know that he appreciated the attempt.

However, what came out of Arashi's mouth next immediately caused her expression to drop in concern. As long as she had known the two, the Varia Captain had always left dealing with Alma to his brother. The only time that Arashi ever conceded to talk to her childhood crush, it was normally never a simple matter. "...What did he do? You never want to talk to him... Is it because of a mission or something bad?" Rin questioned seriously, her brow furrowing in concern. Whatever the problem was, chances were that it couldn't be good. Rin might have been absent since joining the Spiaggia, but she wasn't stupid by any means. If Arashi was going in person, then something serious was going on that her brother hadn't bothered to tell her about.

[ARASHI ARCA]

[atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=valign, top][atrb=style,background-color:6C2811;][atrb=width,100,true] [STYLE=background-color: C3C3C3; width: 114px; padding: 5px; color: 312C18; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; text-transform: lowercase; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 120px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 30px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 30px;]TAGGED:: Rin[/style] [STYLE=background-color: C3C3C3; width: 114px; padding: 5px; color: 312C18; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; text-transform: lowercase; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 30px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 30px;]WORDS:: 622[/style] [STYLE=background-color: C3C3C3; width: 114px; padding: 5px; color: 312C18; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; text-transform: lowercase; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 30px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 30px;]MUSE:: Derp.[/style] [STYLE=background-color: C3C3C3; width: 114px; padding: 5px; color: 312C18; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; text-transform: lowercase; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 30px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 30px;]NOTES:: Secretive Arashi is Secretive[/style] [STYLE=background-color: C3C3C3; width: 114px; padding: 5px; color: 312C18; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; letter-spacing: -1px; text-transform: uppercase; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 30px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 30px;]BY ROTOSCOPE of BTN[/style]

[STYLE=width: 100px; height: 100px; border: 5px solid #C3C3C3; float: left; margin-top: 5px; margin-left: -65px; background-image: url(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e37/Chandrisa/Arashi-1-1.jpg); -moz-border-radius: 60px;] [/style][STYLE=text-shadow: #efefef -1px -1px 0px; font-family: georgia; font-size: 9pt; color: #C3C3C3; text-align: justify; letter-spacing: 2px; margin-top: 33px;]you're in a place for fear[/style][atrb=style,background-color:C3C3C3; border-bottom: 6px solid #6C2811;][atrb=width,456,true][STYLE=line-height: 17px; border-bottom: 2px solid #6D110A; padding-right: 4px; font-family: georgia; font-weight:bolder; text-style:italic; font-size: 19pt; color: #6D110A; text-align: center; letter-spacing: -2px; margin-bottom: -16px; text-shadow: #efefef -1px -1px 0px; margin-right: 5px;]Lips are for biting here[/style][STYLE=margin-top: -7px; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; margin: 10px; padding: 7px; text-align: justify; color: #312C18;border-bottom: 2px solid #6C2811;] Rin seemed genuinely surprised that Arashi had offered to teach her to drive. There were many pros to the idea - that she could come out and visit him more without having to pay for a ride out to the Varia's Japanese HQ. She didn't have a car, though...so that might be a problem. Considering Arashi had several, though...it wasn't that much of a problem. Maybe he'd just give one of them to her for her birthday, perhaps. "Yeah. I don't mind teaching you..." Arashi answered casually. "Long as you don't crash into people who annoy you," he stated this almost cheerfully - as if expecting Rin to run over an obnoxious pedestrian or drive. She was Squalo's granddaughter after all. Had she just complimented him? Was she alright? Was she sick? Rin rarely gave out compliments, but as per his usual, Arashi seemed to enjoy the compliment lavished onto him. He enjoyed compliments when they were given to him out of nowhere. Those were the best compliments, after all. Arashi took the criticism of Kaoru with a slight sigh. Sure, he wasn't all that experienced...but experience was something one gained over time. Few people had the experience needed to be the greatest at first. "He will learn, Rin. Not all of us have the honor of being raised by Varia quality. I made him my Vice Captain because he was the best choice at the time. You have high expectations of a Vice Captain - so do I. As long as there is the potential there, I'm going to exploit it; and it is there." Compared to when Arashi was younger, he had definitely matured over time. "I suppose I will have to bring that up with Raitaro, won't I?" Arashi mused slightly as he stretched his arms into the air slightly. "His dad honestly wants him to pick a side in this mess?" Arashi asked slightly shocked that his father would want to make the Spiaggia an enemy - even if it meant gaining an ally. "Both sides have their pros and cons...personally, I'm kind of hoping that Notte's leader wins her battle - she seems better fit for the job that the other one," Arashi admitted quietly. So that was what Rin truly wanted...for him to talk to Raitaro about both sides of the Vongola and help him decide on what he should do. "Rai should listen to what his guardians have to say on the matter...and inform his father that he has decided not to choose and if he doesn't like it...well he can go align himself and leave the Spiaggia out it..." Of course, Arashi knew that it wouldn't go down like that...but it was still a nice thought. "Cesarina worries enough for the both of you - she dropped by a few days ago and cooked dinner for us," Arashi informed Rin. "S'not like I don't get enough sleep anyway. I'm perfectly healthy." Leaning forward, he tugged lightly on a strand of Rin's hair. "You, on the other hand...probably get stressed out enough from dealing with Raitaro's...I'm surprised your hair isn't more gray," he drawled slightly teasingly. Although, after his mention of Alma - Rin looked almost...worried about the idea that he was visiting Alma of all people. His head tilted to the side slightly. "He didn't do anything... It is kind of a mission thing though..." At least he was giving her that much? It must be important, though...if Arashi was going to former Sun guardian Alma. He glanced down at his latest report - this one on something concerning the Shimon. The handwriting was unmistakably his. Before Rin could see, he placed it in a folder and put it into his desk for later. [/style]

[rin]

Rin's smile widened as he confirmed he would teach her to drive, but only on the condition that she didn't run over anyone in the process or attempt vehicular homicide with that knowledge. "Oh, come on, my temper's not 'that' bad." She protested confidently, flashing a grin as though there were some truth to the matter that actually made it reasonable argument and completely missing the joke. Then again, Rin was like Squalo in more ways than one. She really didn't recognize her own anger as anything more than a simple cause and effect, merely a common reaction to something else. Although, stupidity often got the blame for most of these nasty reactions, appearing in one form or another and setting the swordsman off.

Speaking of stupidity, Arashi saw fit to remind her of Kaoru's somewhat unrelated lineage to the Varia, though believed his potential would eventually come out. "Potential is a double-edged sword. Just make sure you don't cut yourself in the process." Rin advised cryptically, though the warning was clear enough. Arashi could attempt to drag out this believed potential all he wanted, but if that punk ever became a threat to the Varia or to her brother personally, then a certain Vice Captain was going to go missing and she would make sure that they didn't find his body.

Her expression brightened one more as Arashi made mention of bringing it up to Raitaro. "Would you? There aren't really any words that could express how helpful it would be." She pleaded with an apologetic smile. "The boss looks up to you and I'd rather have someone teach him that has the experience that I know will show him how to be a good boss." Rin explained calmly, once more offering a casual comment to feed her brother's ego, but it was true. Even if she hadn't accepted his offer, the Rain Guardian still respected her brother a great deal and if anyone could get the message through to Rai, then it was Arashi.

Shaking her head somewhat at his question, Rin looked about as confused as Arashi sounded. "I don't know what his old man is thinking, to be honest. It's obvious that the Spiaggia need to focus on their own problems, before poking their nose into the business of other's around them. As it stands, if we choose wrong, we wouldn't even have enough Guardians or rings to fight off an enemy that tried to erase any support for their former opponents... The Guardian's are in agreement on the matter, but settling the matter... that's easier said than done. The decision still remains with Raitaro as the boss." She answered, though the real cause for concern evident. Rin had done everything she could in her current position, but she needed someone in authority to confirm the facts. If nothing else, maybe talking with Arashi would give him the confidence he need to tell his father to back off.

Glancing up as Arashi mentioned that Cesarina had showed up to fix them dinner, the swordswoman couldn't help smile at the thought. Well, at the very least, she didn't have to worry about him eating something other than sweets, though he reassured her soon took a snipe at her hair. "I'm pretty sure you can't go from white to gray." Rin shot back with a faint smirk, as Arashi soon explained that he needed to see Alma over the matter of a mission, which seemed reasonable enough. "... Just try not to hurt each other before it's all over. I'd like to have you both back in one piece, if that's not asking to much." She requested, leaving Arashi to his paperwork as she leaned up from the desk and made her way over to the window, staring out at the court yard.

[ARASHI ARCA]

[atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=valign, top][atrb=style,background-color:6C2811;][atrb=width,100,true] [STYLE=background-color: C3C3C3; width: 114px; padding: 5px; color: 312C18; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; text-transform: lowercase; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: 120px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 30px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 30px;]TAGGED:: Rin[/style] [STYLE=background-color: C3C3C3; width: 114px; padding: 5px; color: 312C18; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; text-transform: lowercase; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 30px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 30px;]WORDS:: 422[/style] [STYLE=background-color: C3C3C3; width: 114px; padding: 5px; color: 312C18; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; text-transform: lowercase; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 30px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 30px;]MUSE:: Derp.[/style] [STYLE=background-color: C3C3C3; width: 114px; padding: 5px; color: 312C18; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; text-transform: lowercase; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 30px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 30px;]NOTES:: Whee Look who finally replied.[/style] [STYLE=background-color: C3C3C3; width: 114px; padding: 5px; color: 312C18; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; letter-spacing: -1px; text-transform: uppercase; margin-left: 10px; margin-top: -10px; -moz-border-radius-bottomleft: 30px; -moz-border-radius-topleft: 30px;]BY ROTOSCOPE of BTN[/style]

[STYLE=width: 100px; height: 100px; border: 5px solid #C3C3C3; float: left; margin-top: 5px; margin-left: -65px; background-image: url(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e37/Chandrisa/Arashi-1-1.jpg); -moz-border-radius: 60px;] [/style][STYLE=text-shadow: #efefef -1px -1px 0px; font-family: georgia; font-size: 9pt; color: #C3C3C3; text-align: justify; letter-spacing: 2px; margin-top: 33px;]you're in a place for fear[/style][atrb=style,background-color:C3C3C3; border-bottom: 6px solid #6C2811;][atrb=width,456,true][STYLE=line-height: 17px; border-bottom: 2px solid #6D110A; padding-right: 4px; font-family: georgia; font-weight:bolder; text-style:italic; font-size: 19pt; color: #6D110A; text-align: center; letter-spacing: -2px; margin-bottom: -16px; text-shadow: #efefef -1px -1px 0px; margin-right: 5px;]Lips are for biting here[/style][STYLE=margin-top: -7px; font-family: tahoma; font-size: 9px; margin: 10px; padding: 7px; text-align: justify; color: #312C18;border-bottom: 2px solid #6C2811;] Did she realize he was joking about that? Her temper could certainly be worse - it could match that of Squalo and Xanxus' temper. Raising an eyebrow in mild amusement towards her attitude about the matter, he chuckled slightly and didn't bother pointing out that he had been joking. Let her figure that out on her own...Their conversation returned to his choice of Vice Captain and Arashi sighed slightly at her warning. "Very well, I'll make sure that it doesn't happen. Trust me, Rin," Arashi stated quietly as he shook his head lightly for a moment. "Who would you have recommended for my Vice Captain besides you?" he suddenly asked seriously. There wasn't anybody else that Rin would have found good enough to take over Squalo's position as Vice-Captain, so he was just curious as to what she would say to that. While he had to admit that Takehiko might have been a good Vice Captain, the fact that his education was limited had been a significant con. "I will whenever I find the chance too then," Arashi drawled, trying to think of a time he could. There was always when he was training Kaya - he could at least meet one of them. Jack...wait...didn't they all go to the same school? "You realize, Rin...that I'm pretty sure they all attend the same school - your school," Arashi commented with a slight chuckle and then a smile. "Convince Rai to go to school, perhaps he'll run into Jack or Kaya there - if not, I can drag him with me when I train Notte's candidate," Arashi finished with a slight roll of his shoulders, pleased with the idea. He wouldn't lose any time to himself if it went that way. "If you can go from black to gray I'm sure white to gray is possible," Arashi insisted casually before Rin advised him to come back in one piece from visiting Alma and to keep the other in one piece. "Long as I need to use him for this..." he gave Rin's back a slightly look as he scrawled his signature across a piece of paper to sign it. "I'll let Alma know that he can tell you if he wants to...since I know you'll go see him...don't do anything stupid or I might have to murder him." Arashi stated seriously as he put the paper into a pile of finished papers. "I can take you home now," the Varia captain offered as he stood up from his chair, stretching out stiff muscles. [/style]

[rin]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][style=font-family: arial; font-size: 10px; color: 121212; text-align: justify; text-transform: normal; font-weight: 100; float: left; width: 120px; word-spacing: 1px; border-left: #000066 solid 3px; border-right: #000033 DASHED 2px; background-color: ececec; height: 334px; ] Tags: Arashi Arca Notes: So long >< [/style][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][style=font-size:9px; line-height: 13px; background-color: #ececec; color: #1f1f1f; padding: 10px; width: 280px; text-align:justify; height: 309px; border-bottom: #ececec SOLID 5px; text-transform: normal; overflow: auto; float:right;] Ignoring his laughter at the joke, Rin allowed a skeptical look to escape at his reassurance. However, she was rather surprised when he questioned who she would have suggested replace her. Lifting a hand to her chin in thought, it didn't take her long to come up with an answer surprisingly. "Well, if you want an honest answer.... Considering a vice-captain must both aid the boss and have enough experience to handle matter in the event of his absence... I would have to spoken to Ryuunosuke." She answered seriously, raising a finger to explain her logic. "Considering there are no members of the Superbi family to fill the role, the next best option would be to seek out the only other family of swordsmen with the capacity for matching the skills of the previous generation. The only man who ever qualified as a true rival to my grandfather was Ryuunosuke's grandfather and there is a likely chance that he has shares that man's potential as both a swordsman and a natural born hitman or assassin." Rin explained seriously, though there was a surprisingly amount of reason behind her answer, perhaps it shouldn't have come as much of a surprise that she had chosen a swordsman. "Aside from the potential granted him by his lineage and a knowledge of protocol as the son of the former Vongola Guardian of the Rain, he would be more than capable of handling diplomatic matters both inside and outside the family. Ryuu also has the disposition to maintain order and a level head which on the combat field can mean the difference between life and death. Combined with the knowledge that he will or already has inherited the Shigure Soen style means that with the right guidance, he could easily be turned into a highly skilled operative."

[/b] Rin spoke calmly, though it was surprising the swordsman could so easily decipher the potential of an opponent. Then again, simply being able to hold a sword wasn't the only talent that she had inherited from Squalo.

Flashing a smirk in amusement, Rin seemed to find the whole matter amusing. "Factor in that his pastimes are far more becoming of a Vice Captain, he also has a knowledge of the human body that would be absolutely invaluable on the battlefield... That, and when the stress from work, you'd never have to wait around with a someone gifted in massage at your beck and call." The Rain Guardian added with a cocky grin, knowing that Arashi was all about the perks. "Then again, I wouldn't beat yourself up to much, Arashi. Even the best bosses make mistakes." Rin explained, taking a clear shot at her brother and his choice for Vice-Captain.

"Sorry to say, but you might as well concede to the facts. No matter how much potential he may have, that 'boy' will never come close being able to rival my abilities, let alone my grandfather as a Vice Captain. Of course, if you want to waste your time with common fodder, then that's your choice? Just don't prove Alma right." She warning, the words meant to burn at Arashi's ego a bit. Then again, Rin had more than a few reasons to be concern. She had always defended her brother and Xanxus' choice in passing down the role of boss, and she would not be made a fool out of simply because Arashi had a bad habit for taking in strays.

Arashi seemed to agree, though the mention of going to the same school earned a faint snort in approval. "I've already exhausted all my efforts attempting him to go to school, so dragging him along may be the better alternative." Rin answered, recalling her past frustrations. She couldn't understand anyone that would willing choose to remain ignorant of the world. His mention of her hair though earned a faint flush.

"Voi! It's not turning gray and you know it!"[/b] She snapped in retort, then again he knew better than anyone that Rin was somewhat vain when it came to her hair. Most of the Superbi family was and it was much a symbol of pride, why else did all of them seem to grow it to such lengths? However, as he explained that Alma could tell her if he wanted, Arashi saw fit to added a faint snipe that earned a faint blush. "Shut up! That's none of your business."[/b] Rin barked back, though the fact that she liked Alma was painfully obvious, even if Alma seemed rather oblivious to the matter.

At his suggestion to take her home, Rin nodded and moved to follow after him, thinking quietly to herself as they walked. It was obvious that she had something on her mind, but that wasn't a matter that she really felt like discussing with Arashi. She didn't want his two cents on matters pertaining to the Spiaggia, even if he was her brother and she was asking for help on their behalf. There were just some matters that she would tell him when the time came, but not now.

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[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][style=color: 1f1f1f; font-size: 8px; margin-top: -10px; text-align: right; margin-right: 5px;]made by REECE of OTE[/style]