A/N: No amount of apologising can make you forgive me for this super long wait... sorry XD I think this was rather... sucky... I don't know. And for those who didn't know who got shot... I thought it was obvious (to me) xP

Thanks to Genmyounai Hikaru, 18plusForMe, Butterfly Illusions, XXxKHRObsessionxXX, xxyaoifangurlxx, YearOfThePanda and shiorinkyo for reviewing the 8th chapter!

Uh... not many warnings... I think. XD THERE IS 6918 IMPLIED HERE! Don't complain please, 6918 is OTP, hard not to put in. xP

Enjoy!

There is a time skip somewhere at the end because I didn't want to write about Yuni talking about the stuff she talked about. =w=


Chapter 9 – Controlled Heart

"Ah… Why I can't I just die?"

Yamamoto Takeshi's eyes flared with disbelief as the greenette he had supposedly knocked out just minutes ago sat up, the sun flame burning brightly on the "target" point. Daisy gripped his ripped bunny toy as he curled his knees to his chest, staring up into the shocked face of the Vongola Rain Guardian.

"I-impossible… I just defeated you…"

"Daisy can't die," Kikyo smirked triumphantly as he flew in. As he continued to explain, Yamamoto numbly tuned him out, mind swirling with confused thoughts.

Does that mean… we lost? Everything we've done… for nothing…?

"The battle has been decided. The winner is..."


"No!"

"Kyoya!"

Mukuro barely registered Chrome and Dino's horrified cries as he stared at the slumped figure in his arms. Blood dripped out of the shoulder wound, painting the white uniform red. The thin raven haired male was scarcely breathing, his pale skin as cold as ice…

No… please… you must live…

The boss of the Millefiore smirked sadistically as he lowered his still-smoking pistol. "Hmm. That will teach you to run from me."

Byakuran took a step towards them and immediately the trio drew back, Mukuro still cradling Hibari's limp body. "So…" He mused as Bluebell and Zakuro flanked him on either side, "You will still defy me." His violet eyes met Mukuro's mismatched ones as they challenged each other silently, when—

"The battle has been decided. The winner is…

"The Millefiore Family!"

Bluebell cheered happily and Zakuro's mouth quirked into a smile as the announcement was made. On the other hand, Dino's jaw dropped and Chrome nearly collapsed in horror as they exchanged glances.

Tsuna and the others… lost?

Byakuran and Mukuro, on the other hand, showed no signs of hearing the announcement. After a few seconds stare-down, Byakuran gestured to the wreaths with him, "Let's go meet with the others…"

You can keep him for now… but he will still be mine in the end.


"Did we… win…?"

Tsuna shook his head at the bespectacled redhead as he sighed, "No, we didn't."

Shoichi immediately sat up, "B-but… Argh…"

"Please lie back down..." Tsuna said softly. He looked at his tutor, "Are Dino-san and the others alright?"

Reborn shrugged, "We have had no contact with them since the battle began."

Then we can only hope they accomplished their part—

"So, Tsunayoshi-kun, you have lost." Byakuran's voice interrupted his train of thought.

"Hand over the Vongola rings."

Never! "N… I—"

A sudden female voice called out from the side as a dark green haired girl strode into view.

"I object to this."


Tsuna watched in confusion as Byakuran's eyes widened, "Yuni… you…"

Yuni? Who's Yuni?

To Tsuna's side, Shoichi muttered something about "speaking with her own lips…" The others just shrugged, although Reborn was watching the scene intently…

Fuuta had once told Tsuna, the Millefiore is a joint family, formed by the up and coming Gesso Family, and the Giglio Nero Family who have had a long history with the Vongola. Gesso became White Spell, and Giglio Nero became Black Spell. Byakuran was Gesso's boss, therefore commander of White Spell… but Black Spell mostly still follow their original leader, a young girl…

And it finally clicked.

"Eh? EEEHHH? SHE IS THE OTHER BOSS OF THE MILLEFIORE?"

Yuni smiled radiantly at them, "It is nice to meet you, everyone from the Vongola Family."

Her expression changed into a frown as she stared at Byakuran, "And as joint leader of the Millefiore, I believe I have half the rights to this descision."


"After them!" Byakuran's outraged snarl sounded on their heels as they fled.

"Everyone!" Tsuna yelled, "To the Flame Teleportation system!"

Sounds of the chase became louder as the Wreaths gained on them. Tsuna's heart jumped to his mouth.

We won't make it—!

"Tsuna!"

"Boss…"

The young Vongola Tenth's eyes nearly dropped out of his sockets, "Dino-san! Chrome!"

"Kufufu, what about me?"

"Hiieee!"

Dino rolled his eyes at the brunette's high pitched shriek when he spotted Mukuro. Some things just never change. "Go, Tsuna!" he called, "We'll hold them back." He and Chrome immediately disappeared out of Tsuna's line of sight.

As they reached the teleportation system, Tsuna noticed Mukuro, who was breathing heavily, gently carrying a pale figure with messy black hair. His breath caught in his throat.

"Is Hibari-san—"

"I don't know!" Mukuro snapped suddenly, "Just get us out of here!"

Tsuna cringed, "Alright…"

Light encircled them just as Chrome, Dino and Squalo ran into the group, and the Vongola Family disappeared from sight.


"They're gone, Byakuran-sama."

Byakuran glared murderously at Kikyo, who, to his credit, did not flinch from the venomous gaze.

"How dare they take the pacifiers of the tri-ni-sette, as well as the key to unlocking everything in the parallel worlds?" He spat angrily, "And most importantly, how am I going relieve all my stress now that my favourite toy is gone!"

"Oh-ho. The bullet should be taking effect pretty soon," Kikyo replied.

"But I still prefer him here." Byakuran grabbed a handful of marshmallows and crammed it into his mouth.

You will never escape me, my pet…

Hibari Kyoya.


You will be loyal to me alone. Take the Vongola rings from within.

Soulless gray eyes under messy black hair opened, and the owner of those eyes whispered softly into the night.

"Yes, Byakuran-sama."