SailorStar9: This is Chapter 2 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, will it kill you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny and the pairings.

Chapter 2: The Ring Conflict, Part One


Later that night...

Gokudera stood outside the hotel room Ami was currently residing in. After the confrontation earlier, he had immediately recognized not only the Heaven's Flame Ring, and also the Goddess' Sacred Girdle. So when Basil left him a whispered instruction from the Goddess, he had obeyed.

Recognizing the teen, the two black-suited guards allowed the bomber entrance.

"I see the lessons you took when you were younger came in handy." Astraea remarked.

"Yes," Gokudera was immediately on one knee as Astraea faced him. "Your Sacred Girdle and the Heaven's Ring, I would be blind not to recognize you, Astraea-sama."

"Gokudera Hayato," Astraea started, her aura blazing. "Listen carefully to what I have to say. The path the Mafia had taken after the 2nd assumed power was not what the Primo and I had intended; that is why my return signifies the the radical change in the Mafia's operational directions. Xanxus will not take my reappearance lying down; he is still stuck in the olden ways, despite the 9th's struggles to re-divert the Mafia back to the ways which Primo had designated. That is why," she cast a stern look at her chosen Storm Guardian. "Sawada Tsunayoshi and his Guardians must win this battle."

"I understand," Gokudera bowed lower. "You have my word, as the 10th's Storm Guardian, that I will be victorious."

"And Tsuna?" Iemitsu looked at the Goddess, once Gokudera was gone.

"Reborn will drill the consequences into him." Astraea replied. "But it is entirely up to him whether he wants to fight or not. Iemitsu, have you decided on the bearer of the Half Mist Vongola Ring?"

"I have." Iemitsu admitted. "But he's currently... incapacitated."

"If you meant Rokudo Mukuro," Astraea chuckled at the adviser's momentarily shocked expression. "Bring me to him; perhaps I can convince him."


The next day...

"Impossible!" Tsuna was insistent. "No one told me he was so dangerous." he shivered under the covers. "Those weren't the eyes of a human."

"They are pretty dangerous." Reborn agreed.

"Don't just agree!" Tsuna snapped. "And why do I have to be involved in the fight in order to become the successor?"

"I'd like to ask that myself." Reborn admitted. "As far as I know, the 9th isn't the type of guy who'd promote this kind of mindless battle. I can only imagine that something happened."

"Something?" Tsuna echoed. "And Dad messed up too! Why didn't he hand over the Rings? This wouldn't have happened if he's given Xanxus the Rings."

"That's not true." Reborn corrected. "You've sensed that girl's aura, didn't you?"

"That girl..." Tsuna recalled the appearance of Astraea. "Who was she?"

"Astraea-sama," Reborn replied. "The Goddess revered by the Mafia; her materialization indicates the the direction of the Mafia will change. She has chosen you to lead the Mafia back to the right path. Besides, Xanxus is a man who doesn't make oversights. Sooner or later, you would all have been killed."

"That's terrible!" Tsuna ducked under the covers. "Why did this happen? Training is useless! I don't want to do it!"

"I see." Reborn walked off. "Then go to school. Xanxus will end up killing his biggest opposition: Lady Astraea."

Tsuna's terror turned into shocked realization.


After the Lightning Ring Battle...

"It was inevitable that this would be in my hand." Xanxus grinned, the Sky Vongola Ring on his finger. "Can you imagine anyone else besides me being the Boss of Vongola?"

"Damn it." Gokudera cursed.

"The other Rings don't matter." Xanxus declared. "I can dispose of you whenever I wish in the name of Vongola with this Ring. But it would be far too boring to simply kill you after that old fool chose you even once. I'll kill you after I make you taste true despair during the Ring Conflict, like I did to that old fool."

"Xanxus!" Iemitsu barked. "What did you do to the 9th?"

"It's your job to find that out, external adviser." Xanxus snorted.

"You bastard, did you..." Iemitsu growled.

"Calm down, Iemitsu." Astraea cautioned. "You don't have any proof. Put your gun away, Reborn."

"Rejoice, you frauds." Xanxus remarked. "I'm giving you a chance. I'll allow the remaining matches to be conducted. If you do manage to win, I'll give you the Vongola Rings and the position as Boss. But if you lose, not only will everything that is precious to you disappear, the little girl's," he pointed to Astraea. "Life will also be forfeit."

"I accept." Astraea gave her adopted brother a look of sure assurance. "I have the absolute confidence in the successors I picked."

"Astraea-sama..." Tsuna looked at the Star Maiden.

"Show me the power with which the old man was so obsessed." Xanxus demanded. "Woman," he turned to the Cervello. "Go on."

"I will now announce the combatants for tomorrow's match." the Cervello declared. "Tomorrow will be the duel between the Guardians of Storm."

"So Gokudera's next." Yamamoto remarked.

"You'll do all right." Ryohei assured. "We're counting on you."

It's my turn already? Gokudera wondered. And my technique isn't ready yet.

"So it'll be Bel." Xanxus noted. "Not bad."

"Boss." Levi knelt before Xanxus. "This is the Thunder Ring. Please take it."

"I don't want it." Xanxus stated. "Levi, if you disgrace me again..."

"I will die." Levi finished and the Varia vanished.

"Iemitsu, you need to go to Italy." Astraea instructed. "I'm concerned about grandfather."

"Understood, Astraea-sama." Iemitsu received his order. "Reborn, I'm leaving Tsuna and the others in your care."

"Leave it to me." Reborn assured. "I know more about them than you."


During the Mist Ring Battle...

Tsuna, affected by the illusions that bombarded the battlefield, started having visions.


Flash

"I will protect Kakimoto Chikusa and Joshima Ken, who are still on the run." Iemitsu assured.

"You are an eccentric." Chrome chuckled. "I have had all of my abilities taken away. I can stay out on this side only for a short while, even when I borrow this girl's body."

"I don't mind." Astraea insured. "I want you to become Sawada Tsunayoshi's Guardian, Rokudo Mukuro. Read me, Mukuro," she ignited her Holy Flare. "And know that I speak the truth; that the Mafia will truly change and return to the real path the Primo had always intended."

Such purity... the imprisoned teenager was stunned. Such serenity... this girl... she speaks the truth. I know I can trust her.


After the fight...

"Mukuro-sama..." Chikusa gasped.

"Amazing!" Ken cheered. "You're so strong!"

"How dare you come here!" Gokudera pulled out his dynamites.

"What?" Ken growled.

"Hey, Gokudera." Yamamoto chided.

"Gokudera, that's fine." Astraea raised a arm to stop the Storm Guardian.

"You should be that cautious of me." the Mist Guardian warned Tsuna. "I don't intend to become friends with the Mafia. I only became a Guardian to guard the Star Maiden, Sawada Tsunayoshi. I've gotten a little tired." he muttered. "This girl..." he collapsed into Astraea's arms, turning back into Chrome.

"I understand." Astraea nodded. "A wonderful fight, the two of you."

Mukuro pushed himself. Astraea realized. He used a great deal of power to materialize himself. He won't be able to come to this side for awhile.

"Was that an illusion of Mukuro, or was she the illusion?" Gokudera was confused.

"Oh yeah!" Tsuna exclaimed. "How are her organs?"

"There's nothing to worry about it." Reborn assured. "Chrome's organs are functioning properly, thanks to Mukuro's powerful illusions."

"She's asleep." Tsuna was relieved.

"She gets tired so easily." Ken sighed. "This is why humans are..."

"You're human too." Gokudera reminded.

"Let's go, Ken." Chikusa walked off.

"Are you abandoning her?" Tsuna exclaimed.

"When she wakes up, she'll be able to walk." Ken shrugged. "I don't plan on giving that girl my attention. She's not Mukuro after all."

"Each side now has three Rings." the Cervello declared. "So we will continue the Conflict. Tomorrow is the long-awaited final battle between Guardians, the match between the Guardians of Cloud."

"It's Hibari's turn." Gokudera realized.

"Hey, Xanxus." Reborn called. "What are you going to do? If Hibari wins tomorrow, the Ring count will be four to three. Even though you have the Sky Ring, it will make Tsuna's side the winner."

when that happens, you'd better keep your promise and give up all rights as a successor."

"Of course." Xanxus agreed. "I will respect the spirit of Vongola and honor the conditions of the duel. If Mosca loses the Cloud match, I'll hand over everything to you."

"That means there's only one left." Ryohei stated.

"I don't want to admit it, but if that guy's fighting..." Gokudera grinned.


Later, by the riverside...

"Yo." Dino greeted his student. "Your match will be tomorrow. How are you feeling?"

"Give it a try." Hibari smirked.

"Isn't that enough for today?" Dino sighed. "He's not listening." he chuckled when Hibari charged. "Careful!" he dodged.

"I'll bite you to death with the next one!" Hibari swore.

"Geez, time for me to get serious." Dino muttered.

"I take it this is normal." Astraea remarked, amused as the two decked it out.

"Astraea-sama." Romairo looked at the teen Goddess.

"Romairo, how many times have I told you and Dino to please drop the 'sama'?" Astraea reminded. "It's bad enough that Iemitsu and Basil do it, and I just can't get Tsuna to kick the habit, I certainly have no need for the two of you to do the same. Geez..." she sighed.

"And to answer your question, yes, this is normal." Romairo nodded.

"Don't tell me they're going to keep this up all night." Astraea blinked.

"Well..." Romairo trailed.

"Right stupid question." Astraea muttered. "If he's anything like that guy... I swear their hotheadedness is contagious."


SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.