Author: Ri-Ryn

Chapter: Aria Corrotta: Devozione Esaurito Risorgendo (Corrupted Air: Exhausted Devotion Rebirthed)

Word Count: Story 7000

Rating: M* (Content suitable for Mature Teens)/ +T

Disclaimer: Katekyo Hitman Reborn belongs to Akira Amano.

Warnings: Severe language, violence, disturbing imagery. WARNING: DESCRIPTIVE TORTURE! And I used the dang F-word AGAIN, sorry!

A/N: 1st off, Camilla is MENTAL. Okay, I cannot apologize enough. I promised this chapter last month and didn't give it to ya'll. Fanfiction wouldn't let me post my stories; I could log on and stuff, but not post. Then it gave me hell about the document I was using? I didn't figure out how to fix it for a-while and combined with work and filling in for co-workers for more hours before school starts, yeah, not a lot of time. BUT! I kept messing around with the story, editing and adding more details. Sorry, but this chapter will be real jumpy, so here are the short-hands: the new guardians' scenes will be dictated by their elements; Camilla will be C.V. and her cousin will only speak through a walkie-talkie to her in italics. I cannot thank-you guys enough for the support shown; you all gave me a whopping 22 reviews. Wow, THAT is what gives me my love for writing, you guys and you're words. This is for ya'll, I present chapter 8.

Music: For some messed up reason, I listened to "I Like It Loud" (which is Camilla's theme song!), "Animal", "Attention", and "Girlfriend's Nightmare" by Myah Marie. And when I wrote about Tsuna and Camilla's part, I played "Candy From A Stranger" by Myah Marie.

Donatello sighed into the phone as he watched Renz place the wet rag over the young Decimo's forehead. "I understand that you're busy, but the standing order leaves no room for interpretation. You, as well as all twenty other Italian bases of operation, will bring seventy-five percent of your personnel here. Unless you're in a red situation, I expect no complaints."

Mancuso growled. Yes, he knew they had their order, but for what reason? "Why?"

"Because the main Vongola is under Level 4, Red Situation, with a severely ill Decimo and no present guardians."

Mancuso sucked in a shaky breath. What the HELL was going on there for this to happen? Sure, no guardians and an ill-boss, but Signore Machiavelli sounded as if he was preparing to bunker down for a full-scale attack… well damn. "I could bring eighty-percent?"

The elder gentleman's voice cut through Mancuso's very soul; he could feel his own dread and tangible fear. "I you can spare it; I suggest you do it."

The cell clamped shut with a frustrated hand as Donatello glanced grimly over to Renz who nodded in return. The Vongola steward quietly exited the room as Andrea and Fuuta rounded the corner, the pair's briefest attempt at laughter failing at the sight of him.

Fuuta cleared his throat to report in. "Fourteen of twenty outposts are accounted for and distributed to corridors A-J, the roof, and Level X. I've assigned two posts to Level X and the roof currently." The youngster had his shirt crumpled to wrinkle in a clenched fist. "How should I place the remaining to arrive groups?"

I wouldn't have placed them any differently from what he has now. Donatello clicked his tongue in a mixture of approval and sheer annoyance at their current situation. "I want one team each to be placed on ground level and the one above. Ground level's extra hand's will be a free roaming support team while the upper level will do the same, only placing priority on protecting J Hall and the stairwell."

"The last two teams will be under my direct command," he said firmly. "I will use them to do my best and control the enemy infiltration or end such attempts at the roots." Donatello stopped as his granddaughter appeared from the opposite corner.

"Diva," he greeted, "and Dr. Mantua?"

She frowned, "On his way in a plane from Greenland, and it isn't a private jet."

The rain swore to him-self softly, what in the world was he doing in Greenland? "I'm not worried Decimo can't hold out, but with outside influences?" He trailed off, acknowledging the oncoming threat that had yet to attack the mansion.

"We could move him down to Level-4."

The rain glared sharply up a Fuuta who flinched. "And that would do what exactly?" He barked. Gah, it would be a stupid heart attack to kill him before the enemy! "I've already thought about it. Doing so would make it harder for both Dr. Mantua and the Vulpiani to get through and reach him." He ignored their weak protest, plunging forward. "And who's to say rats won't get in through Level-2's outside passageways? I recall the Vulpiani having a technician equal to Signore Spanner and Irie's caliber. It wouldn't take an infiltration group long to get in or out after their deed, now would it?" It was more sarcastic than he intended it to be, but got his point across. That plan was out of the question.

The silence was heavy and pressing as his logic sank in. Fuuta mentally berated him-self; he was CEDEF and should've remembered Emiliano Vulpiani.

All three heads snapped up as a door creaked. The new guardians saw Machiavelli holding Decimo's door open. "Let's move this inside for Signore Renz's benefit, shall we?" A loud click was all that needed to be heard for them to know they had complete privacy.

Diva reigned in her snippy tone. "Then how will we," she gestured with a hand to her and the others, "be positioned?"

Her grandfather reached for his inner breast pocket, pulling out a simplified map of the manor. He gave Fuuta a pointed look. "You," he indicated to the first floor, "will take command of the first floor; corridors A, B and E, F, G. I'm planning with your experiencing in holding your ground in mind. You're one of the finest defensive fighters there are." The beige-headed man bobbed his head once.

The grandfather met eyes so much like his own before pointing to the second level of the manor and its hallways. "Diva, I leave the second floor, halls C, D, H, J, and I in your care. Signore Fuuta will not be able to stave off all of these roaches, and I have no doubt in my mind the stupidly lucky ones will try their luck scaling our walls."

Renz stiffened in apprehension at his turn. "Signore Renz, your sole focus will be Level X and protecting Decimo personally. You have passable medical knowledge, second to mine in the household, and have a defensive and offensive style of attack." Olive eyes narrowed in a silent threat. "Do not fail."

"Andrea." The young girl jumped at the sound of her name. "I know you're still inexperienced but also went through tactics when learning how to imitate Signore Gokudera." Gokudera's name was all but spat as the maid acknowledged what he said as true. "You, as our best gunman, will take command of two teams and make the roof impermeable, Sniper Captain. That includes air assaults and ground support when possible."

Her eyes widened: such an important position to hold to protect Decimo… Her mouth was already talking. "If anyone gets past, they'll fall dead down the stairs," she affirmed.

Donatello let a smirk grace his aged, but reminiscent of handsome, face. It still was to the ladies club of fifty-five and over. "I'd expect no less."

The steward let his hands expertly roll up the map and place it into its original place. "For now, raid our First, Second, and Third Level below ground armories. Don't pay any heed to the Fourth." Teeth flashed sinisterly, "If our future guest tries his luck with our Vongola quality locks, we wouldn't want to be caught down there."

"Now go and prepare yourselves and your men. The complete lock down begins at eight on the dot, sundown, before their most probable attack. We'll welcome them accordingly."

-0-0- Andrea Trovato -0-0-

Andrea pulled most of her shoulder length blue hair into a bun in J Stairwell, right below the hatch to the roof. She took a deep breath, readjusting the prized scope rifle on her back before entering her destination, surprising many of its occupants.

"You're kidding me… A maid and child no less is what they sent us?" A tall, dirty blonde haired man muttered under his breath.

Andrea glared crossly at the offender. "Damn well sucks for you then." Her gold eyes watched in satisfaction in seeing him recoil. "The name's Andrea Trovato. I'm twelve years old. Bitch about it and you'll be on a one way trip to Hell." The gleam in her eyes assured the family it wasn't an idle threat.

"We have the most important position to defend. It takes only one person to bypass us and gain access to Stairwell J and thus Level X. For your sakes as well as Decimo's, it isn't advisable to allow it to happen."

She shifted on her feet. "No one gets by us; no one lives if they enter our line of sight. We're trusted with this task and I expect the ground below to be littered with bodies and the skies clear. If you're good with moving targets and missiles, stay in the middle; everyone else set up and line the edges with spare ammunition and arms at your sides, ready and waiting."

Andrea grimaced bitterly, Decimo's question echoing in her mind. "The resolution to kill," she said absently before shouting. "You better get comfy with that ideal bastards!"

-0-0- Renz Vasiliev -0-0-

Renz loomed over the two battalions before him, both groups still split into their original bases from which they came. His voice was a low rumble from the chest.

"If we break ranks, Decimo dies and the Vongola will fall." He grinned like the devil, revealing his flames' innate nature. "Unless they lose their minds and souls to the mist. It doesn't discriminate, nor do I. Do well in your duties."

The weakest ones paled.

-0-0- Diva Machiavelli -0-0-

The dainty but calloused hand flicked towards the right. "Alright, you have your orders, groups one through six. Group Seven," she stamped a foot, calling the reaming Mafioso to attention. "Gear up, you're defending J-Hall and Stairwell with me and I demand your best!"

"Yes ma'am!"

She glanced up the stairs before clasping her hands together, sending a silent prayer to God. Please Sir, keep him safe. Don't let anything happen to him and lend us a guiding hand of your protection. Amen.

After a quick check to find the reassuring handles protruding from her pockets, a white and black uniform swished at a turn as Diva returned to the rallied family.

-0-0- Fuuta de la Stella -0-0-

Fuuta strapped the weapon securely to his back and blew a stray strand of hair out of his line of sight. Surrounding him was the small talk of tactics and the metal clang of gun barrels being loaded with a Vulpiani's death.

He grunted lightly as he picked up a large crate of ammo to distribute before glancing at his watch: fifteen till.

Fifteen minutes until he would make good on his promise to keep Tsuna-nii, the heart of the Vongola, beating strong.

-0-0- Donatello Machiavelli -0-0-

Murky figures scrambled outside in the setting darkness as the mansion's outer lights flicked on, illuminating the inner perimeter of the estate and brick walls.

A slightly wrinkled hand pushed the button on his headset as grey-green admired the moon's purest white for possibly the last time. "Requesting the attention of the Sky's pillars."

Chorused answers of affirmation answered. "Is set up complete?"

"Yes."

His jaw was taught and Donatello wetted his aged chaps. "Then it is time for us to wait till the night bleeds upon us its inner darkness. May God bless us: Amen."

"Amen."

"Amen."

"Amen."

"Amen."

-0-0- Camilla Vulpiani -0-0-

The vixen's fangs gleamed in the moonlight as she tenderly licked her scalpel before placing it into its holder. Her eyes glowed as her semi-auto was raised in its beauty, and fired, beginning the descent of true Mafia and the Vongola's downfall.

The tree line exploded as Vulpiani ran in, armed with more semi-auto's in their frontal assault line.

"Duck and wait for the reload!" Thuds and grunts were heard as bodies dropped to the ground, avoiding the enemies' bullets.

Donatello's eyes skimmed the darkness for the first line and cursed as he couldn't see just how far they extended.

"Gia!" The woman sprang to a kneeling position to prop her weapon, bracing it against a shoulder, and took aim.

"Cover your eyes!" she screamed before unleashing the light grenades from the hand modified shotgun. Each round exploded in blinding colors, hiding the shrapnel inside. Holes appeared in the attack front as many fell bleeding or disorientated, few unlucky enough to be in the trajectory of a kill shot.

"Split up and take the segments; watch your backs." The rain quickly righted him-self and sprang forward at the enemy, unsheathing his daggers before making them glow a fiery blue. "Burn!" He slashed through the ranks as his group retaliated. Dodging left, he severed the man's ligament, pushing with his other blade into the man's aortic.

He barely acknowledged the newfound warmth on his face except to wipe it from running into his sight.

A bullet grazed his ear as he saw a glimpse of brown streaked pale yellow and discolored teeth drawn to cackle. "Stop!"

He pressed his headset. "Young Fuuta, the first rats are through including Camilla; be ready!"

-CLOUD-

The cloud guardian gritted his teeth in front of the main foyer door, his own warning already passed along the Famiglia and up the levels. He tensely grasped the axe handle, shrouding the blade in purple in preparation.

The silence was broken by a loud blast and splintering wood. Shadows flitted in along the walls armed with assorted metal. Fuuta had rolled with the explosive force and back onto his feet. He saw the vile woman and rushed her.

"Pardon," she chortled, "but not today." The Vulpiani boss slapped the flat of the axe blade, ruing his aim, and gracefully followed with a kick to his stomach.

The adult grunted, closing his eyes to open them again with the creature gone. "Shit." He ran into the deeper halls, hearing the echoes of broken glass and infiltration. He yelled back to his remaining group from the foyer, "She was using herself as a distraction!" Where is she truly planning to come through?

Camilla laughed softly to herself outside the ruined doors. He thought she was stupid enough to fight him, the CEDEF's Iron Axe Fuuta? She fingered her radio, lifting it to her lips and purred with delight. "Airs one through four, begin to tear down the sky. Grounded seventeen through nineteen- continue on by Level 1's entry points. Twenty and twenty-one, you're with me for scaling." Grasping her gut, she fully let out the laugh she had been holding in till crying, huffing into the speaker. "Hehe… grounded twenty-two…ah... start climbing immediately!"

She knew there were snipers; Camilla only wanted to see how good they really were. Crimson was gorgeous as mass produced paint.

-LIGHTNING-

The black haired woman was frantically taking the incoming updates, waiting for any sign that Level 2 had been breached.

"Group Three, any changes! ?"

"No, nothing-" The familiar sound of breaking window panes came in from the other end. "Their coming up on the walls!"

"Hurry up and cut their ropes then!" She hissed in pain at the onslaught of noise from the communicator by heavy fire arms.

Static started in her main headset. "Diva, they're coming up from the ground."

"Like I don't know that!"

"You're lucky I'm…"

"Andrea…Andrea! ?"

"We have a problem; this was well planned out. You'll have to personally deal with the scaling insects."

It wasn't like Diva couldn't handle it, but it wouldn't be her first choice of action. "What, why?" She cried angrily.

"The bitch's helicopters caught up to the cannon fodder down below."

"Sons of that Bitch!"

Andrea chuckled, "I know, right?"

Diva winced, hearing more windows break coupled with shouting. "It looks like the ground infiltration knew it too."

-C.V.-

Camilla smirked as she slid into an empty room from the broken Level 2 window, her three body guards trickling in from behind. The three hurried to barricade the door. Now, she only had to wait for Emiliano to contact her.

-STORM-

"For once Diva is right" Andrea swapped her favored scope lens shotgun for and anti-air rifle. "Umberto, get set!"

The copters flew closer in to begin circling as her gold eyes widened. They have mounted artillery of all things! "Nevermind, down against the ledges now!" She dove into the descending stairwell as chipped cement filled the air and the roof was peppered with bullet holes.

"If that's their game," she ground her molars together, removing her box weapon from her necklace and setting the storm ring ablaze. "Then play to your deaths, Paradiso Tempesta, Rosso-Ala! (Paradise Gale, Redwing!)" The box opened as the large eagle soared out, its beak, wings, eyes, and talons blazing in storm attribute.

Redwing hovered in the open air. "I want their bullets and copter blades to go up in flames!" Andrea watched in satisfaction as her partner heeded her command, ascending to a higher altitude. Its wings beat fiercely together, powered by the storm flame; the resulting wind repelling air-born ammo back to the helicopters. Andrea smirked at their panic and redouble efforts, honing in now on Redwing's distraction.

That's one less thing to care about. She narrowed her golden orbs in suspicion. They wouldn't…

Two helicopters flew closer a run-by sweep at the roof, carefully maintaining two feet off the surface as Vulpiani family members tucked and rolled onto the roof top.

Shit. The storm switched the anti-air for her automatic pistol, nailing and unsuspecting enemy in a headshot. Andrea shuttered, freezing a moment, "Decimo warned me…," she murmured. She activated her head set, "Diva, lookout, some might trickle in through the roof!"

Andrea collapsed as her hand acquainted itself with the new bullet hole in her thigh.

-LIGHTNING-

The Vulpiani were filing in like the roaches they were. With Andrea's squadron preoccupied, it gave them free reign to climb unto the second story. Fuuta had done an impeccable job keeping the flood of mafia down on Level 1.

"They're never going to end." She fingered her own box weapon. "Now is as good a time as any. I'll show them and take every hit, lightning's protection." The cube was lifted into the air, "Sgorbia, Titano (Gouge, Titan)." The green box burst as green light flashed and her ten point partner stood next to her. "Fuga Precipitosa di Tuono (Thunder Stampede)."

The large buck shook its head as lightning coated its hooves and antlers. The large animal went into a gallop, rearing up on its hind legs before crashing down with its front hooves through a man's chest. A woman screeched as her companion fell; she lunged to slash into its shoulder. The buck paid no mine, only lowering its head before thrusting upwards into the woman's torso, his antlers easily piercing the soft meat.

Diva grimaced, looking away from the blood splatters as Titan continued. He carelessly threw the dead woman off his antlers into the wall, her body leaving a red trail to the ground, and removed his drenched hooves from the man below to continue his mission.

Box weapons were also a reflection of the owner's feelings and conviction, and it was sickening to see just how desperately she wanted to protect Decimo: to watch her inner most feeling personified.

The lightning guardian dropped to the ground, avoiding the punch aimed for her. A flash of gleaming steel and her metal fan connected with an elbow, misplacing the joint outside the body. She couldn't help the whimper from her mouth as autopilot took over and the other fan finished the job automatically, connecting with the nameless man's temple with the perfect amount of force: just enough to kill a human.

She gripped her fans tighter, eyes hardening.A bloody kiss, 'I accept', those brown eyes widening in fear and awe, Don Sawada's innocence. Here heart thrummed in her chest and a light blush dusted her cheeks at the thought of her employer before fading. Her posture straightened as she re-entered her fighting stance. "I accepted for his sake."

Diva didn't flinch as her next victim died. She could, would, bear every attack.

-C.V.-

A long nail tapped impatiently against the desk until it slowly carved a crevice. "Emiliano, you are trying my patience here. How much longer until you reach my prey? I'm getting tired of your excuses."

A soft whining voice answered her. "But Camilla~ these techs were so good. You couldn't expect me to be that fast; two minds were poured into these locks down here!" Emiliano's teeth chattered, "It's so dark; I swear I've seen rodents and creepy-crawlies down here with me, too!"

"Emiliano, shut-up," Camilla snarled as her pointer finger's nail broke against the sudden pressure applied to the wood desk. "I want to play now. I want HIM white washed, black, dead. Unless it's you who wants to play with me instead?"

Emiliano's jaw tightened as he fidgeted with his electronic keyboard and the fiddled more with the lock, using the screwdriver in his hand. The family thought he was the insane one? They had no fuckin' clue. "Camilla," he soothed, "It will be done soon."

"Fifteen minutes."

"Fifteen minutes?"

"Or I'll go down there for hide-and-seek. You're not a very good player- remember?"

The blonde with red bangs dropped his screw driver before scrambling to pick it up. Camilla always won the game.

Always.

-RAIN-

Donatello was slammed against the manor wall, gurgling the saliva and blood mix in his throat. "Si-signore."

The dark-skinned man furrowed his eyebrows at the Vongola.

"You must try harder next time." Donatello spat the collected fluids in his mouth as the Vulpiani hissed, rearing his fist back.

The steward was faster with a knee into his solar plexus. Still have my flexibility and reflexes in these old limbs and bones. His hand shot to grasp the younger man's hair and ripped the head violently behind him, driving the face into the brick wall of the mansion before grating it downwards until it went limp.

The ground rumbled with an explosion and earth shook, window panes trembling. People fell down in surprise everywhere on the lawn. Inside, foe and home players alike clung to walls and furniture alike to steady themselves. Fuuta, Renz, Diva, and Andrea smiled half-heartedly. Signore Machiavelli hit that particular nail straight on the head.

Donatello landed on the ground with a grunt. He also couldn't help smiling. Emiliano Vulpiani's reputation preceded him in his expertise. Signore Spanner and Souichi left a marvelous parting gift for him.

Letting out a soft sigh, the rain chuckled. Scaring the young 'ins out of their wits with a human sized snake, twenty dollars he still had it in him. "Fiume Serpente Morto, Re Cobra. (Dead River's Serpent, King Cobra)"

Flames coiled to form the snake as it reared hissing. "Use Docce Nero (Black Showers)." The cobra lifted itself higher while poised to attack. Opening, an oddly teal liquid sprayed overhead in a drizzle from its fangs on the remnants of Vulpiani, coming into contact with skin and clothing.

Confusion spread before cries of agony as they tried to rub off the venom. Tranquility, relaxing the body and its cells to the point of ceasing production of the hormone that kept one's skin and flesh knit together. Lumps and splatters of various shades of tan/brown and red chunks fell off victims.

He coughed, dribbles of blood spilling from his mouth as he observed the night sky. That lad certainly was skilled with his iron claws, an admirable fight he fought. Donatello gently dug his fingers and hand further into the free flowing wound on his stomach in an attempt to staunch it if but a moment longer; black speckled his already limited vision. Perhaps half an hour at most for King Cobra; if they still have reinforcements… I'm not sure we won't fall. "Oh, Mantua, we really could use a physician's touch right now." I'm sorry Decimo; Diva might be taking over the reins sooner than I'd expected or preferred. She still has much to learn before filling my shoes.

-SUN-

Eyes flashed in the dimly lit cockpit as he released the safety on the gun aimed at the pilot. "I asked: how much longer 'til we land?"

He watched the man grip the controls tighter, not even trying to conceal his panic. Pathetic. "I-I'm not sure. This fog ov-over the airport isn't s-s-safe."

"Land anyway."

"But-!"

"-Nothing; you don't? I'll shoot you everything but dead and chance parachuting down. One way or another, this plane is going to 'land' soon."

The pilot swallowed thickly, mechanically moving to announce over the intercom. "All passengers please fasten your seatbelts and brace yourselves for an emergency landing."

Battista Mantua ruffled the pilot's hair, ignoring the talk of surprise that sprung in the plane's main haul. "Good, looks like your co-pilot will be the only accident tonight."

-C.V.-

Oh she was mad, furious, livid; she was pissed. "Ma'am we've lost contact with Signore Emili-" Her fingers found the inside of her bodyguard's neck as they rearranged the space before allowing the subordinate to drop. Did he think she was deaf to the explosion, ignorant of the tremors that passed in the mansion mere minutes ago?

"That brat," she placed her head into the now dirtied hand. "Oh, just when I thought the game was over and I found him. I'm still IT. Then, he has the guts to break one of my precious toys? I want to see just how far his guts go."

Camilla glared over the tips of her fingers, "He isn't on the roof, the first floor, or below the mansion. He must be here. Send the rest of the family to attack and open the damn door."

Camilla easily strode over the corpse at her feet toward the closed door. "I want my wine you fallen dove. I'll break you to plummet further out of grace, you and your pitiful family of the sky."

I'll find you.

"I ALWAYS win you pure-hearted imbecile."

-CLOUD-

If this could spiral any further downward, let it happen now.

"Fuuta, it's Diva, come in."

The beige head snapped up in surprise. "Diva? What is it?"

She hesitated, "There's more coming, at least four more groups and another helicopter from what I can see out the window. The Devil wasn't happy about her cousin."

"Argh!" Fuuta slammed a fist into the wall, sending a painting down to the floor. "Damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it all! My box weapon can help, but four groups?" Frustration swelled in him.

"Fuuta?"

"…I'll handle what I can somehow."

"Don't die."

"Yeah, I'll manage not to, you as well."

Fuuta leaned on his axe handle. "Strato Jackrabbit, Lepre (Stratus Jackrabbit, Hare)."

The furry rodent popped out of the cube with purple eyes awaiting its Master. "Start Deserto Nuvola Peste (Desert Cloud Plague)." The mammal nodded as its skin began to bubble, masses formed only to drop off and continue the metamorphosis into identical Hare copies. The small army stood with noses twitching in the air. "You know which ones, mow them down."

Dull eyes watched them leap further into the mansion; he couldn't bring himself to see any humor in the catchphrase he gave them. They look adorable. Wails and shouts of pain started to ricochet in the halls as Fuuta pick up and readied his axe again. But it doesn't take long for their incisors to gnaw completely through a person's ankles and cripple them.

And the cloud followed the propagated destruction to put beasts out of their misery.

-STORM-

Andrea roared as she shoved the empty magazine clip up under the woman's nose. Her face twisted in disgust when she slipped the body off of her, the cartilage in the nose having impaled the woman's brain.

The steady hum of copter blades broke her from her stupor. "Goddamn it! We can't take any more…" She whistled for Redwing hesitantly. The eagle flitted tiredly to her side, head drooping.

"No, not yet." The bird gave her a look- 'what more now?'

"Heh, I know. Sorry, but take this. When they open to fire, swipe it inside." She held out the grenade as Redwing stepped back. "None of that now." I know where the helicopter will fall. Andrea ripped the pin from the grenade and tossed it to Redwing's beak. The eagle chirped in the back of its throat before ascending one more time with the parcel.

Eyes sharpened as he dove for the opening door, watching as the gunman pulled back inside to avoid his talons. Curving his wings, Redwing doubled back, easily dropping the grenade through the open crack.

It took seven seconds for the helicopter to become nothing but smoking, luminescent red metal careening for the rooftop.

Andrea stared unblinkingly up from her back on the roof, watching the brilliant eagle dive down to her side with the manmade meteor close behind it. "You shouldn't be here dumbass."

Redwing simply ruffled its wings before nesting next to her head. "Hey, birds of a feather flock together?" Wet drops rolled as she tilted her head into Redwings feathers who curled around her. "Damn it! Master Sawada, Redwing…" I wasn't strong, but it was enough. The roof is secured…

-MIST-

Renz fell at the second explosion, this time from above on the roof. He rolled when the grandfather clock came crashing after him. It's no good; they'll be here soon. Renz breathed out softly, it was quite outside the door. "Tormenta Nebbia, Zero (Blizzard's Mist, Zero)." Mist sifted outside the open weapon, solidifying to create a large walrus.

The guardian crawled along the floor with his animal trailing behind. He cracked the door open an inch. "Zero," he waved the sea animal closer, "Artico Miraggio (Arctic Mirage)." Zero's mouth opened and indigo mist flooded from the throat, around tusks, and out into the pitch black hallway.

"Я не могу сделать его обратно от этого (I may not make it back from this)." He stood, striding to the Decimo's bedside and grabbing the sickle-and-chain he had dropped from the second explosion. His face twisted at the sight of Tsuna's pained face, his boss still weak from sickness. Renz bowed, "До свидания и оставаться в безопасности, сэр. Я ухожу. (Goodbye and stay safe, sir. I'm leaving now.)" I can't even remember how to speak proper Italian for a goodbye.

Renz hurried to the door. Quitely, he and Zero slipped into the hallway.

He never heard the soft whimper as Tsuna whispered weakly, "Renz…careful, please…"

Air whistled as his chain clashed with the force of a sword strike. Renz wrapped the blade in his chain, yanking it from his opponent's grasp to not waste a second and dove in with a slash of the sickle. He connected with nothing but dark air as the sound of feet hitting ground alerted him to the invisible enemy jumping back. Zero slapped his fin against the floor. He's there! Renz rushed forward once more, feeling the satisfaction of his blade cutting through his goal and hearing the mystery person grunt in pain.

"Not bad."

Renz growled at the empty praise. "Worried шлюха? (=whore, slut, hooker, harlot, tart, tramp)"

"No, just a tad upset right now."

Renz gasped as his wrist twisted and was slammed into the floor. He heard a pained squeal and thud as Zero was taken care of; the mist, his only form of sight in the hall, dispersed leaving him completely blind and vulnerable. "NO!" I never 'saw' her, how did she get past my guard! ? He felt a trickle of foreign mist flames fanning out, the tell-tale signs of another illusionist's presence. She had two people as back up.

The Vulpiani boss paid no attention to the mist's plea as she slipped into Tsuna's room. "I want a hanging pelt this time, Sergio, Loretta, not more litter on the floor like the rest." The door closed.

"Loretta, right? I'd be my guess you're the sly mist user who surprised me by hiding that boss of yours."

A minute passed as a small voice answered him. "I am and did."

"The irony of it all." Renz grunted as he stood again, retracting his weapon. "What are the chances of two mist users whose names mean 'laurel'?" Renz spread his own mist flames into the mix, ready for round two. "You're going to pay for messing with the Vongola, our Decimo, and I."

Sergio snorted at the false bravado. This man was easy to take down once before, how would this turn out any different? "Your confidence shouldn't be so high. You'll fail just as easily as the first time."

"Wrong," Renz gritted his teeth. Please let me make it in time to him. "You caught me off-guard the first time. Now? Now I know, and it will be the end of you two."

Live Don Sawada, for us.

-SKY & C.V.-

Camilla sighed in contentment, her eyes adjusting to the brightness until she grinned. Her prize, he prey, lying helplessly on his bed. She glided over to his side, staring down on the pale, porcelain face. "Ah Decimo, it's time to wake up for me." She emptied her coat pocket of a syringe, scalpel, and lighter onto the bedside table.

Nimble hands picked up the syringe first, playfully pressing out a milliliter of the favored drug for tonight. Murky brown opened as the liquid landed on his face, "It's like waking up to a nightmare all over again." Except I truly am the victim this time, physically participating instead of mentally. I do even have the pleasures of being the instigator.

A wider smiled appeared. His voice was already hoarse and she hadn't even begun yet.

"But so much worse," her lips pouted as she plunged the hypodermic needle into his neck, satisfaction rolling off her in waves as his face twisted in discomfort. "Now is this waking nightmare's beginning. So," she swiftly replaced the empty instrument for the scalpel, "I can't have you passing out on me during this Q&A. Let's hope those steroids keep you conscious and alert from the pain."

Buttons on Tsuna's night shirt popped as he stared towards the door, her voice still distorted in his ears.

"Where are your real guardians? I'm not talking about those temporary fill-ins outside."

"Who knows?"

"That's no good, lying so soon?" She propped the scalpel in front of him, his tender face a centimeter away from the blade. "I suggest reconsidering your answer."

"Why?"

Camilla's brow furrowed as she frowned. He wasn't scared or showing any reaction to the threat in front of him, period. She dangled the scalpel directly in his line of sight this time; his eyes never focused on it once…oh~!

"Eh-he, hehe, ha, ahahahaha!" She couldn't help it and sat down on the side of his bed, roughly grabbing his face and bringing it up to hers to savagely kiss. She ripped the inside of his bottom lip open with her teeth, only to lap at the welling blood roughly and push him back into the mattress.

Tsuna groaned in disgusted pain. My second kiss goes to a psychotic bitch about to torture me. Really?

"My lovely Mafia Don, simply delicious. Not just your blood and body," a thin, gray finger trailed down his exposed torso. "You never mentioned to me that you went blind. How naughty you were to leave me out of the loop." Her whisper sent a shiver down his spine. He had no contacts, no gloves, earpieces, and he'd have to calculate the recoil from using any hard flames.

"Wasn't that important. I don't know where they are, every single one fled after the party." He should have evacuated the entire mansion: selfish. More blood was spilled tonight than in my entire time as Decimo. He swallowed the grunt from the slap to his cheek as a clawed hand held his face in a tight squeeze.

"I better be the sole thing on your mind tonight, not the self-pity towards your actions."

"Attention seeking bitch, didn't get enough parental love in your childhood, did we?" Tsuna bit his lip, agitating his already present wound. No more unnecessary provoking, but I have to keep her detained here for the family's safety as long as possible.

She dug the scalpel further into his thigh. "Did I look like a dog to you when you were still able to see? I like my alias. Vixen truly is more applicable in my situation."

His pain was relieved when she removed her medical turned torture instrument. "Let's soften you up to be more," a tongue swiped over her lips, "co-operative."

Slowly, the sharp edge cut through his flesh with her mantua; his jaw clamped shut. "Monster." She paid special attention to the 'M.' "Disgusting." There was a flare to the end of her cursive 'g.' "Useless, hopeless, selfish, mortal, inhuman, vulnerable." Every word sung from her mouth to him was carved deep into his skin: her human canvas.

And still Tsuna wouldn't utter a sound. He grimaced, cried without sobs, and cursed her in his mind, yet not a syllable left his tongue.

The red blade moved to his neck as she carved lightly, not wanting this word to kill him and her fun, but to also be able to be seen by everyone. In scriptive Italian, the word 'SINFUL.'

"So pretty," she murmured. Her eye twitched in annoyance. Still not saying anything?

"You're incredibly boring, you know that right?" The blade in her hand twirled as the other grabbed the lighter, flicking it to spark a flame. The metal slowly heated over the open fire in her hand. "I'm going to ask one more question. You, and everyone else's, last chance for redemption." The lighter clicked shut and the flat of the blade was pressed diagonally over his closed left eye, before mirroring the first mark to create an 'X.' She pressed harder, forcing the blade deeper and blackening the burn on his skin, tiny cracks spreading out from the main burn like tiny spindles of spider web. Vongola Decimo indeed.

Camilla played around with the angry burn mark, creating her master piece: a permanent Roman numeral 'X' for ten on his face. "Tell me every secret of the Vongola and every location of each family member. Repeat all your passwords to your money and technology. That's my final request."

Tsuna could more than feel the forming blister that then burst under the hot steel as she toyed with him. Don't play with fire my ass. If I were to tell you that information now, all of this family's sacrifices tonight will be in vain. "…ah…"

Red lips cooed as they formed a cruel sneer. "A reaction, marvelous should I still care about one." She leaned forward, presenting an ear to his lips. "Let me hear your answer."

The brunette's chest heaved as his hand caught her, removing it and the blade from his skin. He opened his eyes one more time; he'd make damn sure amber would her the rest of her days. Reborn taught him how to play mind games to. Her fear was rejection, plain and simple.

"Look at me." The head turned, locking onto his face and gaze to humor him. "You suck at this game, so no way in Hell." He smiled. "I may die," lips turned into his own signature smirk, condescending and cocky like his tutor's. "But at least I didn't lose."

Reborn would be proud of him.

-SUN-

Battista Mantua knew his boss was blood thirsty when he drove up, but for her to do this? It looked as if the underworld's army marched to leave chaos in their wake.

The ground still held smoldering embers with flames reaching for the stars. Light was reflected off of broken glass from ravaged windows on the ground, further illuminating this Hellish night's blood bath. Bodies burned here and there against scarlet grass as skin flakes mixed with ashes to be caressed by sporadic, gentle breezes into the air.

The remnants of what looked to have been a bonfire on the roof drew his attention, helping to accent black cords formerly used to scale walls.

Miss Camilla. He wasted no more time, bolting from the car into the wrecked home of the Vongola Famiglia.

Ignoring the family and enemy scattered, he evaded any contact with the dead. Scaling the first set of stairs. He rushed through the house, moans barely registering in his ears when he spotted Diva on the floor. Running, Battista dropped to her side, gently feeling for a pulse. He doctor sighed in relief till he touched the back of her head, matted and still spilling blood. Her skull was cracked in the back: the worst place. I can't stop though.

He merely got up to continue his pace to J-Hall. As he rounded the corner, a large body stood out on the wall opposite of J-stairwell's hidden doorway. "Renz," he approached cautiously. "Renz wake up, you can't sleep." The Vulpiani had crucified him, driving thick railroad tie nails into him.

A soft puff of air from one of the two Vulpiani connected to each other on the floor by a chain around their necks indicated her as an illusionist. Her last breath left and the 'real' nails wavered before dispersing. The Russian's body slumped into Battista as he lowered the black and blue man to the floor.

A shudder passed and then a small whisper. "…Mantua?"

Battista's lips twitched guiltily. "Yes, sorry I didn't get here earlier. Where's Don Vongola?"

"…X…Level…Camilla…she's 'lready there."

Shit! Gently, he arranged the broken man on the floor. "I'll be right-"

Screams ripped through the silent air in painful bursts. Decimo!

Battista abandoned Renz immediately, leaping through the open door towards his boss.

-SKY & C.V.-

Alright boy. Twice, it had been twice today that this thing had made her seethe.

"I ALWAYS win!" She drove the blade into his naval, slicing upwards.

"Ahhhhh!"

Casting aside the Vongola's wails, a horizontal cut appeared across his pectorals for her to peel away the flaps and reveal his chest cavity. "Scream again for me," she hissed.

"Monster, demon, devil, incubus, beast!" She sliced each word with vigor onto the insides of his exposed, folded out flesh.

Tsuna choked as his body arched, "Gah! Argh-ah-!" He cried freely as the pain traversed from his chest to his limbs.

Camilla stood, frowning at her handiwork and the bloody mess. It wasn't enough, he deserved more-

The door burst open as Battista entered, the flames of sun alerting Tsuna. "…Dr. Mantua…"

Camilla laughed at his voice: a pitiful slut, hounding for something familiar was all the great Mafia boss was reduced to. "Didn't he tell you? I came up with Battista Mantua. That over there!" She jabbed a finger, "Can't you tell? His name is Lucio Vulpiani; a talented spy on the outer ring of our family!"

"Everything about you is a joke, the damn funniest I've had the pleasure of seeing, right Lucio?"

Lucio bowed his head, guilt tearing at him for Don Vongola. "Yes."

A scratchy voice cracked the tension in the air, crushed and laced with hurt. "…Is…it true…?"

Black irises lifted, "夜天使の交換 (Yoru tenshi no kōkan)."

Sky flames poured from Tsuna's body, concentrated in his muscles. His hand blurred before Camilla's arm was clamped on. "What-" The boss yanked her down, rolling with her bod onto his bed. A cry of searing, fiery pain escaped him when his organs and skin were jostled with the movement.

Black eyes widened. He wouldn't… "I see." Her body jerked: throwing needles were embedded into every inch of her back up to the neck, some finding spots between her vertebrae with the force they were thrown with.

Camilla's eye lids drooped. "Of course, Yoru Tenshi no Kōkan, I take it that is how to say 'Night Angel's Exchange' in Japanese? That traitorous bast-"

Her voice was cut off by Tsuna's bare hand, covered in hard flames as he burned her mouth shut in repayment.

"No one curses my Famiglia," he rasped. "Battista is my precious family member you didn't deserve."

And the vixen's bod became lax under cold, unseeing yet all-seeing amber eyes. Her last face would be the only one to show terror in the mortal world.

The dove was crippled but standing strong without his wings.

Chapter 10:

La Perla Santos e La Ballata Dimenticato

(The Pearl Saints and The Forgotten Ballad)