BOOM!

Reinforce Zwei: Little Bookwyrm, are you okay?

Little Bookwyrm: *wisps of smoke trailing from body* Just peachy.

Reborn: *smirks* This is what happens when you ignore your reviewers.

Little Bookwyrm: Oh, shut up.

Reinforce Zwei: Are you sure you're okay?

Little Bookwyrm: Yeah. Well, it sure beats getting attacked by that blasted Shamal and his bugs.

Reborn: How did you manage to avoid him at all in the first place?

Reinforce Zwei: Yeah. He was practically flirting with you awhile ago.

Little Bookwyrm: *Holds up spray-can reading 'Perverted Doctor and Trident Mosquito Repellent'* Works every time.


Chapter Seven: The Varia's Ambush

"Next! Seventh Form!"

The sound of a sword slicing the air rang throughout the dojo as Yamamoto sliced through several stalks. "Spraying Rain."

From where she stood at the wall, Reinforce watched as she munched on the sushi that the older Yamamoto had given her when arrived. When she had been discovered that time, Tsuyoshi had simply laughed and told her not to apologize—Rein figured that was because she was a little kid—and offered her to come and watch the son train with the offer of free sushi.

Who could pass that up?

"Next," Tsuyoshi called out. "Eighth Form."

"Pouring Rain!" Yamamoto laterally sliced through four other bamboo stalks, resulting in the sliced wood fan out.

Tsuyoshi looked pleased. "That's the end," he said turning around. "There's nothing more I can teach you."

"Huh? What do you mean 'that's the end'?" Yamamoto asked confused. "All I did was copy the move after seeing it once."

"From the master to the disciple, we only show the move once," his dad explained. "That is the rule of the Shigure Souen Style. Since the style is so dangerous, if someone with the needed skill and will-power isn't found, the style is fated to fade from this world."

Fated to fade from the world? Rein thought. That's really sad.

"S-Seriously?" Yamamoto asked in shock. "But if I had learned it wrong…"

"Takeshi," Tsuyoshi said. "If you are serious and had the will power to learn the style, I doubt you would have forgotten it."

"Yeah, you're probably right," Yamamoto said after a moment of thought. "Then I'll continue on my own."

Tsuyoshi chuckled. "Yeah. All the secrets of Shigure Souen are in the eighth form. If you train without giving up, I'm sure you'll find the answer in no time."

"Thanks Dad," Yamamoto said. "By the way, do you want to know why I wanted to learn Kendo?"

Again Tsuyoshi chuckled. "When I was around your age, I too took on the forms, so I have a good idea."

"But I won't be asking a boring question like that," he added. "Well…work hard."

"Dad…" Yamamoto said before bowing. "Arigato!"

Tsuyoshi laughed. "Well, I'll head back first. We're having Chirashi tonight."

"Alright, I can't wait," Yamamoto said. "Do you want to join us, Rein-chan?"

Rein started from the sudden question before a big smile threatened to split her face.

"Really? Count me in! Yay!"

Outside the dojo listening to the trio laughing, the man in the hard hat smirked in amusement at Yamamoto's progress before counting down the last remaining three: Tsuna, Hibari, and…Gokudera.


"Hey Vita," Alisa said with pure boredom. "Is there a reason why were watching the idiot trying to blow up paper airplanes?"

The pair, along with Suzuka and Nanoha, had been hiding behind a bush for the last three hours watching Gokudera trying—and failing—to strike the fragile flying projectiles.

"You'd rather train with Signum instead?" The red head asked puzzled. "I thought you were happy to have a day from training?"

"Not if it includes watching idiots," Alisa muttered, thinking that she could be trying to summon magic—which she had yet to do unlike Suzuka—as another explosion went off to reveal an unharmed paper aircraft.

"Missed again," Shamal chided from where he was laying on the ground.

"Dang it," Gokudera growled. "Why can't I hit it?"

"Because you aren't being elegant enough," was the doctor's reply.

"What does being elegant have to do with dynamite?" Nanoha asked softly.

Alisa shrugged.

"Maybe it's the way Gokudera-kun throws it," Suzuka suggested. "He's throwing it when he should be tossing it."

"That's a stupid idea," Vita said as Shamal was giving Gokudera a 'hint'.

"WHAT KIND OF ADVICE IS THAT?!" the Iron Knight all but screamed and stood up, only to be brought back behind the bush by Nanoha and Alisa.

"Do you want to be seen?" Alisa hissed.

Vita only grumbled.

"Ah, kids these days," Shamal murmured, clearing not having heard the outburst. "This is going to take a while." He then sent Gokudera—cursing—to go fold more paper airplanes.

"Why did I bother tricking that jerk to teach the brat?" Vita sighed with disappointment. "It's not like he's doing anything."

"Maybe he is," Suzuka said with a smile. "In an indirect way."

"As if words about seducing woman are an indirect way," Alisa sighed.

"Don't worry about Gokudera-kun," Nanoha said reassuringly. "He's a genius; he'll figure it out."

"Heh," Alisa scoffed. "He may be a genius, but his stubbornness outweighs it."

"Kind of like someone else we know," Vita smirked.

"What is that suppose to mean?!" Alisa asked loudly, only to be shushed by Suzuka and Nanoha.

"What was that?" the group heard Shamal ask himself. "Maybe it's a pretty lady looking for some companionship?" The self-proclaimed doctor walked over to a nearby bush and peered over it, only to have his face meet the white sole of a shoe.

"In your sick dreams, jerk!" Vita yelled as the doctor fell onto his back, completely knocked out with a red shoe print on his face and his body twitching every now and then.

"Nice one, Vita," Alisa said irritated. "How we suppose to explain this?"

Vita only shrugged.

"Huh? What are you doing here?" Gokudera's voice came from a few feet away, where the boy stood with an armful of newly folded paper airplanes in his arms. "And why is Shamal unconscious?!"

"I wanted to see the idiot's teaching methods," Vita said with a matter-a-fact-tone. "And I gotta tell ya, they stink!"

"I know," Gokudera grumbled in agreement. "How am I suppose to prove my worth if I can't hit a single one?"

"Well," Nanoha said. "You can't expect your targets to stay put while you throw dynamite at them, right? You need some way to keep up with them."

"Speaking from experience?" Alisa asked smugly.

Nanoha only coughed while Gokudera stared confused.

"A way to keep up with them…" Suzuka murmured before a look of revelation crossed her face. "I got it!"

The remaining group members turned to look at the violet-haired girl.

"Got what, Suzuka-chan?" Nanoha asked.

"If Gokudera-kun needs to keep up with his targets," Suzuka smiled. "Then his dynamite needs a boost!"

The others stared. How do you give a boost to dynamite?


Somewhere else in the same forest, Tsuna was struggling. He had been fighting Basil with the Dying Will Flame for a large amount of time, though it seemed only like seconds to the fired up teen. Scratches and bruises covered his body and Tsuna's breathe came out in short bursts as he stared down at his opponent.

With the blue Dying Will Flame promptly lit on his forehead, Basil had fared much better than Tsuna in the injury department as there was hardly a scratch on him. "I'll continue on," Basil said with a determined face.

On the sidelines, Reborn and Iemitsu—who Tsuna had not yet noticed or didn't act like he did—was watching the fight. "He doesn't stand a chance when Basil gets serious," Reborn stated.

Iemitsu nodded with agreement. "Will the next strike end this match?"

The pair watched as Basil quickly came upon Tsuna and landed a direct hit to the boy's cheek; or so Basil thought. Without warning, Tsuna wrapped his legs around Basil's waist and delivered a hard head butt with a scream. Both fell to the ground, completely knocked out.

"Did you see that my friend?" Reborn asked.

"Yeah," Iemitsu said with a proud smile. "When Tsuna was hit, he raised his Dying Will Flame to absorb most of the damage. You haven't taught him that yet, have you?"

"Yeah," Reborn said. "Looks like he did it by instinct. Either way, it completes the second stage."

"That's my boy," Iemitsu said with a goofy smile. "He's doing pretty well."

"So you've noticed."

Several minutes later, Tsuna woke up to hear that he had in fact defeated Basil and wondering if his dad had been there, to which Reborn vaguely replied. The baby then insisted—despite Tsuna's protest—to continue the training when his stomach rumbled, humorously ending the day's training.


Dusk had come to Namimori and many of the inhabitants had returned to their place of residence to prepare for the night and the following day. High up on the roof of a skyscraper, a group of dark-garbed figures stood looking over the city.

"So this is the city," one, a mammoth of a man with several piercings on his face, said in a soft, yet strong tone, "where the Vongola Half Rings were taken to."

"Ah," another, this one the size of a baby dressed in a cloak with the hood pulled up to only show the lower face, said with a monotone. "If Squalo is correct, they should be somewhere here."

"Mammon," the large man said. "Do you think you could use your Spiritual Picture?"

"Since it's an emergency, I don't see why not," Mammon said. "You owe me one, Levi-A-Than."

"You're ring is the Ring of Thunder," Mammon added, retrieving a piece of toilet paper from the reel attached to his back beneath the cloak. "Then I'll just have to find the other half."

"Sticky Picture!" Mammon said as he sneezed into the paper.

"No matter how many times I see that," Levi said, "it's still so disgusting."

"Two-hundred-and-five meters south," Mammon said, paying no attention to his companion's comment. "Then eight-hundred-ten meters to the south."

Levi turned in the direction stated. "From here," he said, "Varia-Levi Thunder Unit will go and retrieve the Ring of Thunder. The one who possesses the Ring and all who intervene…Eliminate them!"


"Thank you so much, Fate-chan," Dino said as he approached a waiting vehicle with Romario close behind. "Are you sure you don't need a ride home?"

Fate shook her head. "It's okay, Dino-san," she said sweetly. "My home isn't far from here."

Dino didn't looked convinced, but let it slide all the same. "Okay, see you around then."

Watching the car drive down the street, Fate could sense Hibari watching from the rooftop of the school, though the cold eyes weren't on her. Dino had easily won—something that the Prefect wasn't happy with—and had left with Hibairi's word to join Tsuna's Family, something that Fate knew he wasn't happy about either.

With a sigh, and not bothering to look up at the Prefect, Fate made her way back to the apartment.


"Yummy!" Rein sang happily as she walked from Yamamoto's place with a bag full of left over sushi, some of which she was currently sampling. Being in a normal ten year old girl size was tiring enough, so Rein needed all of the energy she could get.

I better leave some for everyone else, she thought as she swallowed another bite. Otherwise there won't be any left!

Just then, a small pulse of energy got her attention. It wasn't a big blast of energy like the ones from the Fake Jewel Seeds, but it was constant enough to be picked up by anyone with even a little magical power.

The bag in her hands currently forgotten and set to the side, Rein made her way gingerly to a pile of garbage bags that had been set outside the store. As she came closer, the young Unison Device could see the faint blinking of a blue light; pushing them away, Rein caught sight of the origin of the energy.

Laying on the cement like a tossed pebble was a Jewel Seed—fake or not Rein didn't care—and the young girl immediately clasped her hands around the glowing gem.

"Jewel Seed Seal," Rein muttered as a bright light briefly leapt from the gaps between her fingers. Rein braced herself, expecting her find to be another fake.

Strangely, the gem didn't break and feeling more secure, Rein opened her hands to see the red number I on the blue surface.

Rein's mouth hung open; she couldn't believe. She had found a real Jewel Seed and with no trouble what so ever.

I got to tell everyone! Was what Rein thought next tucking the Jewel Seed into her pocket and reclaiming her bag of sushi before darting down the street.

Even though she felt proud with herself, Rein couldn't help but feel that something else was off.


"Dying Will Pills?"

"Ah," Basil said, holding out a bottle of the large blue pills to show Tsuna. "My Master made them for me. They help me go into Dying Will Mode without the bullet, yet the power is slightly less."

"Master again," Tsuna said. "He's always popping up in your stories, isn't he?"

"You'll meet him soon, Tsuna," Reborn said.

"Uh…Yeah," Tsuna said, wondering what kind of person Basil's master was. In the brunette's mind, the guy hadn't made a single good impression—since he was the one who sent the rings over with Basil—and figured it was some old, creepy guy.

Basil and Reborn smirked.

Minutes later, the trio had arrived at Tsuna's home. "I'm hom…" Tsuna started as he opened the door.

"Welcome back," Iemitsu said with a smile.

"Geh! Dad!" Tsuna said surprised. "You're awake for once. Are you going somewhere?"

Iemitsu smirked. "Yeah," he said. "It seems that an uninvited guest arrived earlier than expected."

Both Basil and Reborn showed reaction—not noticeable in Reborn's case—while Tsuna looked on confused.

"Is it true, Iemitsu?" Reborn asked.

"Yeah," he said. "I just got word from my agent at the mainland, so there's no mistake."

"That was a little too fast," Reborn stated.

"It is unexpected that the fake rings were discovered so fast," Iemitsu agreed. "I assume it was due to Xanxus's extreme intuition…"

"What are you talking about?" Tsuna asked, confused at the discussion.

"Seems like the Varia have come back," Iemitsu said, standing up with a smile.

"WHAT?" Tsuna screamed. "THOSE SCARY PEOPLE!"

"More importantly," Tsuna added as a thought came to him. "How does Dad know..?"

"I'll go assist the Guardians and warn them of the situation," Iemitsu announced. "Assist me Basil."

"Yes Master," Basil said with determination.

"Eh?" Tsuna stared. "Master?"

He pointed at his dad. "Master?"

Iemitsu pointed at himself with a grin. "Master."

"NO WAY!" Tsuna collapsed on the floor in a daze. "No way…"

"Tsuna, there isn't any time right now," Iemitsu said. "I'll explain it to you later."

"So keep this from your mom okay?" he asked, doing a pinky swear. "It's a secret between us men."

"B-But…" Tsuna started to protest.

"The first to arrive is Levi-A-Than's Thunder unit," Iemitsu continued on. "They came here to retrieve the other half of the Ring of Thunder. Since the wielder is inexperienced, I'm a little worried. I'll go inform the others and ask for their assistance, but it might take some time. I want you to go the Guardian of Thunder and protect him. Let's go, Basil."

"Right," Basil said as he followed Iemitsu out the door.

"What is going on here?" Tsuna yelled in panic, grabbing his hair and pulling. "What am I going to do?"

"Just follow Iemitsu's orders," Reborn said. "We'll go protect the Guardian of Thunder."

"B-But…" Tsuna started again before he realized something. "Who is the Guardian of Thunder anyway?"


"Fūta, carry Lambo-san!" Fate stopped in her tracks at the sound of a familiar voice.

"No way, Lambo," another familiar voice said. "It's your fault for dropping your horn down that escalator and getting us separated from Kyoko-nee and Haru-nee!"

Curious, Fate turned a corner to see a trio of young children who she recognized as Fūta, Lambo and I-Pin; she hadn't seen them since the get-together dinner and it seemed that the group was a little lost.

Walking up to the children, Fate cleared her throat to gain their attention.

"Hello again," she said with a sweet smile. "What are you three doing out here?"

"Ah, Fate-nee-chan," Fūta said with joyous surprise. "We're on our way home."

"Really?" Fate asked. "Then can I walk with you to your place?"

"Yay!" Lambo cried. "Carry Lambo-san, Fate-chan!"

"Lambo!"

Fate couldn't help but smile; Lambo was such a cute kid. Without another word, she lifted the five year old—careful not to stumble from the unnatural weight of the toddler—and set him on her shoulders.

"Ready, Lambo-kun?" Fate asked.

"Lambo-san is ready!" the child squealed. "Let's go!"

Fate smiled, but her thought was on something else; it might have just been her imagination, but she sense that something or someone was out to harm the three children.

A warning went off in Fate's head then and she whirled around—with Lambo clinging—to see a tall figure in a dark jacket of some kind with metal items sticking from his back.

"Who that?" I-pin asked in fear.

The figure, not saying anything, reached up and pulled on a metal handle, revealing a sword. He then held it out in a threatening manner to the group.

"Ah! Go away monster," Lambo screamed. "Lambo-san isn't asleep yet!"

"That isn't a monster, Lambo," Fūta said, holding I-pin.

Fate didn't care who the person was, as the only reason he was here was to harm the four of them. I can't use magic without the children seeing, Fate thought before her red eyes noticed the telephone wires above and a small smile crossed her lips.

Maybe just a jolt will scare him off, Fate figured, calling on her magic. The wires crackled with electricity and a giant bolt leapt from the cords and struck the person dead on, leaving him as a crumbled heap of smoldering—yet alive—matter on the pavement.

The neighboring lights all flickered before the power became stable while the group stood staring.

Oops, Fate realized her mistake. I think I did a little too much.

"Hahaha!" Lambo laughed. "Stupid monster got shocked!"

"Ah!" Fūta screamed then. Fate looked behind to see another figure behind them.

There was another? She thought in panic. Fate knew she couldn't risk the same trick twice or otherwise someone would suspect something, not that she believed that the three children with her would care.

There was only one option left.

"Fūta-kun, I-pin-chan," Fate called out. "Run!"

The pair wasted no time in running with Fate while Lambo hung on for his life.


"What?! Lambo has the Ring of Thunder?" Tsuna asked loudly in shock. "But he's only five years old. Plus, he's stupid."

"There are all sorts of possibilities," Reborn said as he ran atop the wall beside Tsuna.

"But isn't Lambo part of the Bovino Family?" Tsuna asked. "Is it really okay for him to be in the Vongola?"

"The only one to do such a thing before was the First," Reborn explained. "He accepted anyone he liked and the First Family had from kings, military men, rival mafia and religious people."

"HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO KNOW THAT?" Tsuna asked. "Besides, what would Lambo's Boss say?"

"When he was told, he was so honored that he cried," Reborn stated.

"Wha?" Tsuna said in shock.

"Help!" A voice down the street called out and Tsuna saw four small figures running toward him.

"Fūta! I-Pin! Lambo!" Tsuna cried out before he recognized the fourth figure. "And Fate-chan!"

"She must have been coming from the school," Reborn said, recalling that during a talk with Dino the girl had been mentioned.

Tsuna then saw the dark figure chasing them with a sword in hand. "That guy! Watch out!"

The sword swooped down as something struck from the side, sending the pursuer flying.

"What?" Fate asked out loud, stopping in her tracks to look behind her. "That's—!"

Reborn smirked.

Trails of smoke rose from a bandaged fist. "Vongola's Guardian of the Sun and Colonello's best disciple, Sasagawa Ryohei is here!"

"Nii-san!" Tsuna called out. What a flashy appearance!

"Not yet," Reborn said, bringing Tsuna to stare at him in confusion.

Two other figures leapt from the surrounding trees, only to be stopped by two others quickly identified as Gokudera and Yamamoto. Fate, in shock and awe at what had just happened, slumped to the ground, allowing Lambo to hop off her shoulders and cling to Yamamoto's leg while Gokudera mumbled about why the stupid cow had a ring.

"Everyone," Tsuna cried in joy as he ran forward to his friends.

Reborn smirked. "Looks like Iemitsu made it in time."


Little Bookwyrm: ARGH!

Reinforce Zwei: What's wrong?

Little Bookwyrm: For one: I haven't updated for a while, and two: I'm most likely going to get the entire Varia after my hide after the next chapter.

Reborn: Then just don't take so long updating.

Little Bookwyrm: You have no room for talk. You don't have an adult life to worry about!

Reborn: Hmph.

Little Bookwyrm: Anyway, I apologize that this chapter was a little on the short side, but I promise that things will pick up in the next one. Anyway, reviews are greatly appreciated, so until next time.