Disclaimer: I don't own KHR or any of the characters. I do own Josh though...

Chapter 10: Gifts from the Past, Friends for the Future

Tsuna wondered how his life had gotten so weird but, after all this nonsense about becoming a mafia boss and having guardians, nothing seemed to faze him anymore. At least, that's what he thought before some random teenager sleeping in the middle of the road woke up and said he had to kill him. (A/N If you don't care what Josh looks like, skip the next paragraph)

Josh looked exactly like a normal teenager. He was wearing a blue jacket, plain white shirt and tan cargo pants. He wore beat up, black sneakers on his feet and the only jewelry Tsuna saw on him was the dog tag around Josh's neck and a blue ring on his right hand. He looked tired as well and his dark black hair was messed up. He obviously hadn't been sleeping well as there were dark bags under his eyes. Also, despite all the food wrappers around him, Josh didn't look like there was an ounce of fat on him and was skinny as a twig.

Josh regarded Tsuna calmly. Then, he surprised everyone, including Tsuna by sticking out his right hand. "I haven't introduced myself properly. My name is Josh and I'm the Sfida rain guardian. How do you do, Vongola Decimo?" Tsuna, though taken aback at first, hesitantly reached out his hand to shake Josh's. No matter how deadly the other teen may be, Nana had drilled manners into her son so deeply that he would probably shake hands with the devil himself.

"It's nice to meet you Josh," said Tsuna warily. "Is my death really necessary for whatever ends your family is trying to achieve?"

"Technically no…" Josh stated, letting go of Tsuna's hand, his dark eyes staring apathetically at Tsuna. "What we really want are the Vongola rings your family possesses. Give us those, and we'll leave you alone."

"I'm afraid I can't do that." Tsuna said going into HDWM. "For starters the ring chose me, and secondly, Reborn would kill me if I gave them up. You see, I'd be screwed either way."

"That's very unfortunate Tsuna." Josh said as he got into fighting position.

By now, Yamamoto and Ryohei realized that shit's about to get real fast. Yamamoto brought out the baseball bat he was given by Reborn and with a quick swing it transformed into a lethal katana. Ryohei immediately dropped into his boxing position and got a serious gleam in his eyes. Tsuna stood defensively. What would this guardian be able to do?

"If I get a ring," Josh muttered "Boss better give me some gourmet food." With that, Josh's hands shimmered and were suddenly encased by rain flames. The flames hardened until it was like he was wearing gloves, except they had wickedly curved claws at the end of each finger. "Are you ready guardians?" Josh asked in a low tone. Then he charged.

Yamamoto barely dodged the first swipe, just managing to fend Josh's claws off with his sword. The teen's power was incredible! However, Josh was forced to break the standoff and jump to the side to avoid Ryohei's fists.

"EXTREME!" yelled Ryohei as he ducked under Josh's swipes. "How's this?!" he yelled, punching Josh in the gut. Josh stumbled backwards, grunting.

"Don't take your eyes off me." Tsuna said in a calm voice and Josh had to dive to side to dodge Tsuna's aerial attack.

"Three on one so isn't fair…" Josh complained. "I'm going to have to go all out and it isn't even 7:00 AM…" Josh seemed to concentrate and rain flames erupted out all over his body and hardened into a kind of armor. His attacks then sped up. Neither Yamamoto nor Ryohei could keep up with him and even Tsuna looked like he was having trouble, but he fended off Josh as best he could.

'I can't even protect my little brother' Ryohei thought, frustrated with himself. 'he's being forced protect me! This so isn't extreme! I want to be stronger!' Ryohei's Vongola Sun ring shone with light.

'Do you desire to protect your family? Then I give you this. Become strong and fight TO THE MAXIMUM!' Said the voice in the ring. Suddenly Ryohei was enveloped in a bright light and when it cleared, he was wearing full boxing gear.

"KNUCKLE'S MAXIMUM BREAK!" Ryohei yelled. When he looked back towards the fight, Josh's moves seemed to have slowed down, or perhaps he was just moving faster, Ryohei wasn't really sure. Whatever the reason, he realized that he could fight for his family. "EXTREME!" Ryohei yelled as ran back into the fight.

'Wow senpai sure seems fired up hahaha…' Yamamoto thought. No matter how hard he tried to convince himself that he could do something, ANYTHING, he felt useless in this battle. He glared at Josh. How come Josh was so far beyond his level? They were both rain guardians, right? 'I don't want him to hurt senpai and Tsuna! I want to protect them!'

'Hahaha I know you hate violence, I do as well, but there are times when you must protect. I leave you a gift to protect the things you hold dear. Now go, rain guardian!'

"Asari Ugetsu's Four Irregular Swords!" Yamamoto called out. Suddenly, not only was he holding a katana, but also three shorter swords. He dashed back towards the fight. 'Now I'll show him the true power of the undefeatable sword technique, Shigure Soen Ryu!'

Josh knew he couldn't hold out much longer against all three of them. His flames were already starting to fade and he was slowing down at an alarming rate. 'The price of this armor,' he thought bitterly, 'is that it doesn't last… Damn. I don't have any more energy.' The rest of his flames flickered out and Josh braced himself for the final blow. But it never came.

Josh looked up. Tsuna was staring at him, still in HDWM. "I don't want to hurt you." Tsuna said. Josh could see the sincerity in his eyes and hear it in his voice. "Please, surrender." Yamamoto and Ryohei stood at Tsuna's side, weapons lowered, but still on guard.

Josh cringed at his tone. He looked up with confusion evident in his eyes. "Why? Why don't you just kill me? I'm your enemy."

"Because you are not a bad person." Tsuna said. Josh was startled; he didn't expect that answer. Tsuna said this as if he was talking about the weather or stating another mundane fact. Tsuna looked at him dead in the eye. "I know you are not a bad person. In fact, I don't even believe that Dylan is a bad person. That doesn't mean I support what you are doing, but I believe you are doing it for what you think is a good reason."

Josh felt awful for ever attacking such a kind person. "Tsuna…I'm sorry. Can-?" Josh didn't get a chance to finish that sentence. A great burst of sound suddenly threw Tsuna, Yamamoto and Ryohei backwards. "Tsuna!" Josh cried out. Dylan suddenly materialized next to Josh holding his guitar.

"Oi Joshie! Are you getting soft? You're supposed to kill them!" Dylan yelled.

"Leave him alone Dylan!" Tsuna cried as he sped back toward where they were standing. He positioned his gloves to release his sky flames right into Dylan's face.

"Like hell I'm going to let you do that! Cymbals!" Dylan was suddenly holding two cymbals coated in storm flames that acted like shields.

"Tch!" Tsuna muttered as his attack was deflected.

"Don't forget about us!" Ryohei and Yamamoto yelled.

"MAXIMUM CANNON!"

"Surging Rain!"

Dylan tried to withstand their attacks, but was blown off his feet. "Damn. We have to retreat! We can't handle all three of them…" He pulled out his conductor's wand to open a rift.

"Wait Dylan!" Josh yelled. Dylan paused mid action. "I-I don't want to go back! I think we should stay with them!"

"What?! Have you gone mad?! Don't give me that shit!" Dylan yelled at him. "Have you forgotten WHY we joined the Sfida family?"

"I- I know Dylan! B-but Tsuna and his guardians a-aren't like that! Maybe not all the Vongola are like the ones from before!" Josh countered in a shaky voice. "If anything, it's us who are in the wrong here! Tsuna and his guardians have only fought us in self defense!"

Dylan gave Josh a hard look. "I'm going back to the boss." He said, his mouth twisted into a thin line. Josh flinched at his harsh tone. "And I'll be sure to inform him of your betrayal!" And with a flick of his wrist, Dylan was gone.

Josh sat down on the sidewalk breathing heavily. He couldn't believe what had just happened! When he was in the Sfida, he believed that Dylan always had his back! None of the other members had the kind of friendship they had…

He heard footsteps behind him. Josh stood up with a shaky breath. "T-Tsuna… I want to fight with you guys… if that's possible."

Tsuna smiled. "Welcome to the family Josh."

A/N: Were you expecting that? I wasn't and I'm the author... *sweatdrops* Y'see, Josh was supposed to stay a bad guy for a while, but his personality kind of turned out like Enma's... Ugh... another sucky fight scene. So rushed... Sorry about that. And, as you may have already guessed, Josh will be sticking around for a few chapters... Sorry if you don't like him that much, but I promise he's not a bad guy. Well, here's his bio:

Name: Josh
Age: 16
Family: er...ex-Sfida?
Element: Rain
Weapon: Rain flames hardened into armor
Strengths: Speed, reflexes
Weaknesses: His armor only lasts for a short time
Likes: Food, sleeping
Dislikes: Being woken up early, over exerting himself

*ahem* so as to what Josh was talking about to Dylan, I have some stuff planned out. You'll find out more about the Sfida family past in later chapters...

And here's the part where I request you all to review! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE! I'm not above begging.