I have returned! Thank you to those who reviewed. I decided not to hold off this chapter because of the faithful few who do review, as it would be unfair to them.

I hope you like this chapter! Enjoy!


Chapter VII

Hailey ignored the on slaughter of pain from the virus and gave the last scientist standing a well-placed round house kick. She stumbled a little, but remained standing. Hailey walked over to the set of cabinets and opened each one till she found what she was looking for. She pulled out an oxygen mask and placed it over her mouth and nose so that she wouldn't breathe on anyone.

"Hailey…" Alicia said numbly.

"It's fine. I took out the rest of the guards. So let's take care of all these children alright. It looks like there's enough of the antidote for all of them."

Alicia frowned. She calculated that, sure enough, there was enough of the cure for the six children. "But, what about you?"

"I'm going to collect all the information for this virus and its cure, and then I'll send it to Ali so that she can make enough of the antidote for me." Hailey walked unsteadily to the computer. "Please just save these kids."

Alicia wanted to argue, but she knew it was useless. Hailey was extremely stubborn when it came to children. She grabbed a few syringes and collected some of the light green liquid.

The kids shrank away from Alicia when she walked over. The boy stood protectively in front of his sister, though he was tearing.

Alicia sighed. "I'm not going to hurt you. We need to make sure you take the antidote in case you were infected with the crap those mad scientists made. My sister and I came to help. We'll take you somewhere safe after this, alright?"

The little girl studied Alicia and Hailey. Then she slowly stepped out from behind her brother and held up her arm.

Alicia smiled softly. "So what's your name little one?" She asked as she gave the little girl the cure.

"83019," the little girl said softly.

"I said your name, not the identification number those freaks gave you." Alicia reached for the other two kids.

"…Alison…Alison Brier."

"That's a pretty name," Hailey said as she walked up behind her sister. She patted the little girl's brown hair and looked into her green eyes. "We have a good friend named Alison, but we call her Ali."

"So how about you two?" Alicia asked as she tossed the syringes.

"I'm Zach Brier." This boy had sandy brown hair and strong green eyes, like his sister.

"I'm Michael O'Connor." This boy looked like he was a year younger than the other boy and had auburn colored hair.

Hailey lead them out of the awful room. "I suppose Zach is short for Zachary?"

The sandy blond haired boy nodded wearily.

Hailey led them to the other children. She went inside alone to treat each of them so that her sister wouldn't contract the illness through breathing the same air. Hailey put all three of the kids onto one gurney so that they could be transported easier. But it was putting a lot of strain on her system. When she rejoined her sister, Hailey was panting pretty hard.

"Big sister, what's going to happen to you?" Alison asked.

"I'll be fine kiddo," Hailey ruffled her hair a little. But as she tried to take another step she fell onto her side.

"Hailey!" Alicia rushed over. But a set of footsteps called for her attention. Alicia stood up and took a defensive stance in front of the group.

But to her relief it was David who rounded the corner. "Hey, everything has been taken care of. Good job you two- What happened to Hailey!"

"Hailey got injected with the virus and there was only enough of the cure to save these kids. Hailey sent the information of the virus and the cure to Ali but…"

David pulled Hailey onto his back. "Come on everyone. Let's go." He led the way out of the building, where the met the backup squad who had already taken the enemy family into custody. David was about to send the six kids away when Hailey stopped him.

"Wait…David…Can…can we please…take these kids back with us?" Hailey panted, "I want…to make sure they…they have a better home…"

"Hailey, I don't think that's a good idea," Alicia said. Her voice was somewhat strained from worry.

"Please!" Hailey begged.

David studied the six children. If Hailey insisted on taking them in, then that means she found information that their parents had sold them. "Alright."

The nine of them got into a van and pulled away.

Alicia, David, and the children went back to the apartment, while Hailey was placed in isolation. She had to live in a separate house that was built especially for her until she was given the cure.

Alicia had wanted to stay by her side, but Hailey forced her to go back to school to keep an eye on things. They had already missed two day because of this mission, and they still had their main trial to take care of.


Alicia POV

This was so stupid!

Why did I have to go to school when Hailey is suffering like that?

I walked over to my seat and sat down.

"Good morning Risa-san," Tsuna said cheerily to me.

What on earth was so good about it? But it wasn't Tsuna's fault, so I shouldn't get mad at him. "Uh, hi…"

"Oh! What's wrong Risa?" Yamamoto asked.

"Nothing wrong with me," I told them.

"Where's whitey?" Gokudera asked off handedly.

I stiffened. "Uh…she's sick."

"Then we should visit later," Reborn hopped onto my desk.

"No!" I said hurriedly, but this made Reborn look at me suspiciously. "I mean, she's contagious so you really shouldn't visit her or you'll catch it."

"I'm sure we'll be fine!" Yamamoto smiled.

"No. She doesn't want to worry anyone. You'll make her upset if she lets you guys see her in that state." I don't know how to handle these situations. Usually Hailey will think of something.

"How bad is it?" Reborn questioned.

"She'll be fine once she get the-the medicine." I closed my eyes and rested my chin on my palm so that I wouldn't have to look any of them in the eye.

"Hm." Reborn grunted. I felt the presence of the small hitman disappear.

After school finally ended I jogged over the house Hailey was being confined in. I wasn't allowed to go in, but every day I would go and watched her through the glass wall in the back. The children were allowed inside to visit Hailey, since they already took the antidote. I was happy that Hailey had some company, but I can't deny that I'm extremely envious too. David would go in to take care of Hailey, but he always wore a hazmat suit. I couldn't go in because they were trying to decrease the exposure.

Today is the third day Hailey's been sick.

I stared at her through the bullet proof and earthquake resistant glass wall.

God I'm such an idiot. I saw that guy draw some of that virus into a needle, so why wasn't I more wary of him?

"She looks like she's in a pretty bad state," a voice squeaked beside me.

"Tell me about it," I said sarcastically.

Wait… I looked down and nearly jumped out of my skin.

"Reborn! What the hell!"

Hailey looked over slowly and smiled. "Hi Reborn. Thanks for visiting."

Reborn pulled his fedora over his eyes. "So this is why you really didn't want Tsuna to come see Hailey."

Hailey's smile softened. "Yeah, please don't bring him. I don't want him to see me in this state. He'll worry too much."

"Hailey…" I choked, "I'm so sorry. I-"

"Idiot." That one word had enough force to feel like a spear stabbing me in the head. "I don't need an apology."

"But I'm your big sister; I should be looking out for you!"

"Nonsense, just because you came out a minute earlier doesn't make you responsible for my safety. We're twins. We look out for each other, and we protect each other equally. You've already protected me so much that even if I was shot with a hundred bullets it wouldn't be enough."

"Please don't get shot with a hundred bullets," I said, completely dreading the idea.

Hailey chuckled. "But you get my point."

"…Yeah." I smiled a little.

Hailey turned back to Reborn. "I'm assuming Alicia didn't ask, and I can't get to any of my information networks, so can you tell me what's happened while we were gone Reborn?"

Oops…I forgot…

Reborn looked up. "I had Tsuna, Gokudera, and Yamamoto face off against Hibari."

Hailey giggled a little, but it sent her into a coughing fit. "Sorry. Ha, ha. That sounded like fun. I wish I could have seen Hibari's reaction."

Reborn smirked. "Also I-pin has come to live with Tsuna while she trains. I'm sure you're already aware of any information about her."

Hailey smiled a little. "Yeah."

"Hm. Well I assume you'll be back on your feet in a few days. I'll check on you again later."

"Bye," Hailey said softly and Reborn disappeared quickly.

A second later I learned why he left in such a rush.

"Nooooo! My poor and precious Hailey!" A horribly familiar sob came into hearing.

I could already feel a vein pulsing in irritation.

I turned around slowly and sure enough, there was Ali on her hand an knees sobbing while staring at Hailey.

I sighed. At least this meant Hailey was going to get the cure.


Everyone POV – A few days later.

Hailey was sitting on her bed back at the apartment. All six kids were sitting around her, except for the little girl who sat on her lap. Hailey was reading a story to them and sharing her get well presents.

Hailey had all the members of the Dimenticato Famiglia wrapped around her little finger before she left. So of course when they heard the news that their precious little Hailey had gotten sick, they sent as many sweets and presents as they could.

However they were not allowed to send lemons. Why? Well…

Flashback:

Hailey woke up a few hours after taking the shot. She already felt much better. She sat up as Ali and David walked in. They had already transported her back to her room.

"Hey sweetie," Ali said kindly, "How are you feeling?"

"Much better!" Hailey smiled.

David smiled as well. "That's great!"

"Ok, I just need to tell you the side effects of the virus and cure. You won't be able to get sick from that virus ever again, but if you come into contact with lemons at any point for the next month or so, you can go through a relapse."

"You're kidding me. Lemons?" Hailey stared at the two of them skeptically.

"Yeah, it sounds silly. But you need to take this seriously." David said earnestly.

Ali nodded. "For some reason lemons will set off a relapse, which will include difficulty breathing, fever, and heart palpitations."

"Ugh. It seems I've really got the short end of the stick on this one." Hailey mumbled.

"Just be careful," Ali insisted.

Hailey sighed. "Alright."

Hailey sighed again at the memory of the two adults' warning. She glanced around at the kids.

The six children were currently sharing the apartment across from Hailey and Alicia, but they spent most of their time with the twins. Originally, they were very wary of Alicia, but all of them took to Hailey right away. The three children, who Hailey had given the antidote, thought that she was their guardian angel. Hailey had to convince them that she was just a normal person.

Since Hailey was still stuck at home for the moment, she started teaching the kids Japanese. Actually, the kids were picking up the new language very well. Hailey hoped that they could go to school and make friends.

When Hailey finished the book she was reading to the kids, she sensed the presence of Reborn nearing and sent the kids to play in their room for a while.

Just as she predicted, the little hitman hopped onto the railing of her balcony the second the door closed. "Ciaossu Hailey."

"Hi Reborn. So what's up?"

"Tsuna is facing Sasagawa Ryohei in the boxing ring today."

"Is that so?" Hailey smiled.

"I came to ask your opinion."

"I don't know why. You usually do whatever you want anyways."

Reborn smirked. "I want to know what you think about having Kyoko's brother join Tsuna's family."

"Well, I believe he'll make a fine addition. He's physically very strong, which will be a great asset. Also his overwhelming stupidity and extreme positive attitude will become a big help for Tsuna and the rest of his family in the future. I think he and Tsuna will be the only guardians who can really handle Hibari."

"That's what I thought. I see you know I'm going to recruit Hibari into Tsuna's family as well."

"Hmm? I thought that was obvious, since you had Tsuna face off against him."

Reborn's smirk grew. "I'll be making Alicia watch."

"That's fine."

"Also, Tsuna and company are going to visit sometime on the weekend."

"Ara! Really? Why?"

"Alicia had to tell them that you were sick, so they want to see how you're doing. And since you're no longer on the verge of death, it's safe for the others to see you."

Hailey laughed. "Ok, bring whoever. I don't mind. I'm nearly ready to go out and about soon here anyways."

"Right, Ciao."

"Bye-bye!" Hailey waved as Reborn used Leon as a hand glider and jumped off the edge.


Just as Reborn promised, at the end of the school day he forced Alicia to watch Tsuna's match against Ryohei. And he accomplished this task with the help of Bianchi.

"What…the…hell!" Alicia yelled as she booked it as fast as she could out of the school. Bianchi was hot on her trail with dishes full of that horrible looking poison cooking. Alicia was so busy trying to evade Bianchi that she let her guard down and got caught in a rather simple rope trap set my Reborn.

"Mission accomplished. Thank you Bianchi." The tiny hitman said as he dragged Alicia into the boxing room. Bianchi giggled and followed Reborn inside.

"Reborn! Why am I here? Let me go! I wanna go home!" Alicia struggled against the ropes binding her arms and ankles.

"Hailey said it was fine to make you watch Tsuna's and Sasagawa's boxing match." The baby hitman squeaked.

Alicia dead panned.

"You should stop struggling. I'll release you if you swear to stay."

"Fine, whatever. Since Hailey said to and all," Alicia grumbled reluctantly.

Reborn cut the ropes and Alicia stood up and brushed herself off. Soon after the rest of the group showed up.

"Hi Risa-chan!" Kyoko said happily as she walked over. A girl with brown hair in a ponytail walked over with her.

"Hahi! Who are you?" the girl asked asked as she walked over to the group.

'Ugh. The other annoying girl arrived.' Alicia thought. She and Hailey had been avoiding meeting Haru at all costs. "Uh…Hi. I'm Kiyomizu Alicia."

"It's very nice to meet you Kiyomizu-san! I'm Miura Haru!"

"Yeah I know," Alicia muttered under her breath.

"What's that?" Haru asked.

"Nothing! Nothing! Anyways don't call me Kiyomizu-san, it'll be more confusing when my sister is with me."

"Hahi! Sister?"

"Risa-chan has a twin sister called Hailey-chan!" Kyoko told Haru.

"Risa-chan?" Haru asked confused.

"Hailey-chan gave her sister a nickname because her English name was difficult for all of us to say."

"Ooh! Alright!" Haru smiled.

"Who is this to the extreme?" Ryohei yelled as he walked over.

Kyoko giggled. "Big brother, these are my friends Haru-chan and Risa-chan. Hailey-chan is Risa-chan's sister, but she's still out sick."

"It's very nice to meet you! I'm Sasagawa Ryohei and my motto is: EXTREME!"

Alicia sweat dropped a little. This guy was more obnoxious up close.

Finally Tsuna arrived and the match began.


The next day Dino came to visit Hailey while everyone was at school.

David pooped his head into Hailey's and Alicia's apartment. "Hey Hailey, the Chiavarone boss and a few of his subordinates have come to visit you."

Hailey was laughing and watching the kids play from the table. "Okay, you can let them in."

"Yo, white panther." Dino waved as he walked in with his three subordinates trailing behind him.

"Hi Dino. How's it going?"

"We're all good. What's with all the kids?" Dino stepped back as Alison and Michael ran past playing tag.

"Oh, we found them on our last mission and I couldn't just leave these kids behind. Besides they were just too dang cute!" Alex (one the kids in the isolated rooms) with his short chestnut brown hair came over and flopped down onto Hailey's lap.

"Well, I heard you were sick, so I thought I should go visit you."

"Hmmm, Reborn called you over from Italy and you were bored and needed something to do while you waited for Tsuna to get out of school so that you could meet him for the first time." It wasn't a question. Hailey could read Dino pretty easily.

Dino laughed bashfully.

"It's ok Dino. I'm glad you came to visit!"

Alicia walked over and held Hailey's hand as she shyly gazed up at Dino and his subordinates. "Sissy who is that?"

"Those guys?" Hailey jabbed her thumb at Dino and company, "The one in the ridiculous green coat and the goofy grin is Dino. The guys in the suits behind him work for Dino."

"Hey, I think my coat looks pretty cool on me!"

"And I think pigs really can learn to fly."

Dino rolled his eyes.

"Chill Dino, I'm just teasing you. Anyways kiddo, this lug is really nice. He'll be just like a big brother for all of you. Although you should be careful when none those suit guys who work for him aren't around, because then Dino gets to be reeeeaaally clumsy," Hailey whispered the last part. The children giggled.

Alison took a step forward, but didn't let go of Hailey's hand. She bowed a little. "It's nice to meet you Dino nii-san. My name is Kiyomizu Alison."

Just before Dino came up to visit, the kids had asked if they could all be a part of Hailey's and Alicia's family and change their last names to Kiyomizu. Hailey and David couldn't refuse their puppy eyes, so there was now nine Kiyomizu's living on the top floor.

Dino, being a kid at heart, played and got along well with all the children, which gave Hailey a break and a chance to relax. So she chatted with Romario about this and that and sipped her tea. A few hours later Dino was waving good-bye and promising to visit again later.


Alicia POV - The next day

Ah thank god, it's finally lunch break.

I crossed my arms behind my head and strolled down to the courtyard. I found a secluded area and decided to take a short nap on a nearby bench.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

There wasn't much to do without Hailey being here.

No.

I take that back.

With watching Tsuna and his friends, I had plenty to do.

Yesterday Dino tested Yamamoto and Gokudera to make sure they were trustworthy subordinates for Tsuna, and Hailey made me tag along just so that I could give Tsuna a spare uniform so that he didn't walk across town in his underwear.

My ear twitched as I heard a girlish male voice screaming. The vocal pattern indicated that whoever it was, was running back and forth.

"Che. Can't I have some peace and quiet?"

Was that the sound of a gunshot? The voice changed into a rougher tone.

I opened my eyes and saw Tsuna in green boxers and in dying will mode jumping to catch a lime green lunch box. He landed a few seconds later in front of me.

I sighed heavily. So that's why Hailey made me bring another spare uniform today. Dang. How does she remember all these tiny in between details?

"Tsuna!" Yamamoto called from the roof.

"Great job, Juudaime!" Gokudera yelled, leaning over the top of the fence.

Ryohei crossed his arms. "Nice catch, Sawada!"

I could see a small dot of a Lambo who had climbed up the fence like Gokudera.

"Thank goodness," Tsuna said softly.

Forget getting up. That requires too much effort. Instead I threw Tsuna's neatly folded uniform at his head.

"Wha-!" He shouted in surprise and looked around. "Ah! Risa-san!"

"So noisy. Hailey told me to give that to you."

Tsuna laughed nervously. "Please tell her I said thank you again."

I waved it away.

Tsuna changed into the uniform and sat next to me, holding the lunch box in his lap. "I wonder if this is the nitroglycerin…"

"It's your lunch," I said firmly.

"How do you know?"

"Hailey told me."

"How does she know? She's not even here!"

"Hailey and I know a lot of things. Like we told you, it's our job."

Tsuna looked at me questioningly, but I didn't say any further. Luckily the other three boys and Lambo walked over before Tsuna could question me anymore.

I sat up. I guess I'm not going to get any sleep.

"Hi Risa!" Yamamoto waved.

"What did you come over to bother the tenth for?" Gokudera asked grumpily.

Must. Control. Temper. Do not punch, kick, or throw any of them. "Shut up octopus head, I was already here when Tsuna jumped down from the roof."

"Now, now," Yamamoto tried to ease the tension, "So which one is in that box?"

"I don't know yet," Tsuna said nervously as he unwrapped the lunch box.

I got up and started to walk away, but something tripped me.

"Ok, that's my breaking point!" I shouted, though it was a little muffled by the ground. I looked around as I started to push myself up. " Reborn why the hell did you trip me?"

A door in a tree slid open to reveal Reborn. "Because I needed you to stick around." The rope retracted into a smaller hole below the door.

I stood up and brushed myself off. Damn Reborn liked Hailey, but saw fit to torment me.

"That's because I like Hailey more than you."

"Don't read my mind damn it!" I could feel a vein pulsing and my eyebrow twitching. "So what do you want?"

Reborn hopped onto Yamamoto's shoulder. "We're all going to visit Hailey tomorrow and we need you to show us the way."

"Huh? You have your own information network. Go find out yourself." I can't believe he tripped me for that.

"These guys are bad at following directions. It will work out better if someone could just lead the way."

"Hailey's still recovering. I don't think it will be a good idea to have too many loud people bothering her." I rubbed my shoulder and tried to loosen the muscle.

"Hailey said it was alright and I could bring anyone I wanted."

I nearly fell back to the ground.

Why Hailey? Why?

"Tch. Fine! I'll meet you all at the front of the school gate tomorrow at noon." I stomped off before I could be bothered with anything else.


I've noticed that of late I've become a lot more cheerful. I think it started when I first put up this story and got reviews!

This has turned out to be a lot of fun!

Please review and let me know what you think! I like to know other peoples' opinions as well!