Here is ENOIS! I am sorry this is so late, but things... catch up on you as I'm sure you understand.
Please enjoy, I grow more and more confident and enthusiastic as we get out of the ring battles (were my least favourite part of the Manga) So thing will probably pick up as we get more into the future arc!

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E'la Nostra Ora Incisa Sull'anello

Hitman Rain

"Primo guardian's thoughts and speech."

"Tsuna and guardians thoughts and speech."

We knew who Squalo was, of course we did. He was strong, intelligent, and above all else loyal to the core. He often got pushed aside as brash and loud, but when the need arose he was level-headed and one of the best allies someone could have. I was proud to say that he was a part of Vongola, even if I didn't like the Vongola itself.

As the next leader of the Varia, it was only expected that he was strong and intelligent, after all.

Squalo was a rising swordsman, swift and brutal; he wasted no time on his enemies. But he had a score to settle, and that tainted his blade and his craft.

"I wish he had found the sword by some other means, Giotto." Ugetsu would always sigh to me, even if I'd heard it many times over the years. "The sword is mighty, and an honourable craft. I never regret leaving my flute for it. It's a great skill. But Squalo-san is using it for the wrong reasons. His blade, already, is blackened." Ugetsu was solemn but cool.

Even to this day I find it amazing how skilled Squalo was and how lucky the Vongola were to get him to their side. It was fate, I believe, that had Tyr as the Varia leader; Squalo joined simply because he had the chance to defeat the sword emperor; and so he did, after a grueling two day match.

As I was taken away from the storm battle, stuck in Xanxus' ring, I heard the Cavallone boss stick the young Decimo swordsman with a stare that left even me a little shaken.

"If you only rely on one style you will be defeated." For the first time in a long while I remembered that Dino Cavallone was not a fool, "It is only possible to defeat him by transcending style completely."

I did not look forward to the rain battle, the boy and the man were going to battle spectacularly, and I knew it would be a difficult fight for both of them. But it would be difficult to watch. It may not seem like it all the time, but it wasn't Smoking Bomb or even Lambo who mirrored my guardians the most, it was Takeshi, the boy rain who portrayed his guardian counterpart the most. He was the rain, he was the determination, he was the one who made my chest clench with an old memory of betrayal.

I had betrayed Ugetsu in the end, my determination to stay out of the mafia and get Ugetsu back to his flute was never fulfilled. We retired with too much blood on our hands and too many regrets mingling with our souls. Ugetsu, even in death, found it difficult to pick up his flute. And for that I am eternally sorry. I wish, with all my soul that Tsunayoshi's friend will not lose his heart of a child, and that he can pick up his sport forever, not just after the mafia is done; because it is never done.

The day of the rain battle, characteristically, was calm. I spent much time around the brash rain, taking in his unique take on the rain guardianship. It was somewhat lonely, because most of my other guardians stayed away, thinking of their own strife and the feelings that still churned uncomfortably.

Ugetsu came to me many times during the day, telling me about the Decimo's struggle. I for once, was ever so glad that the Rain and Sky in the Varia were the foundations, because I wanted to keep an eye of Decimo's rain more so than any other of his guardians, except maybe the sun, whose battle was already over and done.

Dino was both, as usual, right and wrong in his assessment of winning. To beat such a versed and well skilled man such as Squalo, Takeshi would have to transcend everything he knew. His style would have to be flawless and loose. Something that, so far, he was light-years away from achieving.

Once again, Decimo's candidate was still an athlete. I had yet to see the makings of the Hitman that the Arcobaleno always mumbled about.

"His father is a strong, intelligent man." Ugetsu mused, "Already he can read his son and the sword well. He is quite the character, this Tsuyoshi-san."

"The Shigure souen style is flawless, ultimate, and invincible! It cannot be beaten!"

Ugetsu actually laughed as he told me about the confrontation between Decimo's candidate and his father, to hear about such fatherly support and affection was wonderful, and painful.

"How did Decimo react, Ugetsu?" I asked with a solemn air, because I almost knew how he would react, I could feel it, and believed myself better at reading Decimo than his own tutor.

I regretted my question almost immediately.

At this point in time, even if I was certain of Decimo's success and his rise to Vongola's throne, I was not yet sure about my guardians. I knew that a few, Lampo and Knuckles at least preferred Tsunayoshi. They were drawn to the burnet in the same way their candidates were, but were not yet certain if he was right for Decimo; either because of his age, or for the same reasons they were drawn to him. A few, like G and Daemon did not approve at all. As for Ugetsu, I didn't know.

My rain took on a hue of unease and distaste. His eyes narrowed and his usually open and warm eyes grew dark. He frowned, and with the frown came a deep sadness and a kind of understanding that at the time I didn't understand.

"He is worrisome, Giotto." Ugetsu hummed. "He is not suited for this; he will be drowned by the mafia."

I knew I gaped at my friend, ashamed and scared. Tsunayoshi was a kind soul; clumsy and a self-destructive beast. He would be his own death and the stress of his friends' involvement would end him before any bullet- I knew this. But hearing it form the one guardian I knew would see it if it were true hurt anyway.

"But," Ugetsu continued, with a sad smile, "I am so very glad that he saved my boy and continues to give him a reason to live."

"Ugetsu?"

My rain turned to me, a shimmer in his eyes of a breathtaking familiarity. The sheen was the same as the day he told me he had put his flute away. It was determined, grateful, sad, and gloriously happy all at one. Painful and crushing, but made me fill with prude.

"Takeshi was on his way to his end, Giotto. I could feel it as soon as my ring was given to him." Ugetsu sighed, looking off into space as if remembering watching the Decimo rain. "You can only go so far without true purpose. He was going to kill himself over a sport, Giotto, not even for my flute would I have taken my life."

Of course I knew of the rain's suicidal tendencies, but I never imagined Ugetsu would be so opinionated about it.

"Tsunayoshi saved him in so many ways, and I think, even if he is a part of the mafia- even with blood and hate tainting the rain- Tsunayoshi will bleach it with his sky. He's given Takeshi a worthwhile purpose, and if Tsunayoshi brings back our family how can I be upset and hate the boy? He is you, Giotto, many years younger, and unfortunately cleaner."

For a moment I am silent, floating on in the rafters of Varia's throne room just taking in my guardian's presence and warm aura. Even in death and centuries behind us, Ugetsu still embodies the soothing, cleansing rain. He rids me of all negative and useless thoughts, and I'm stuck again by his kindness.

"But, at the same time you can, can't you, Ugetsu? You can still hate Tsunayoshi."

I wouldn't know it for a while, but when Ugetsu's eyes softened in that way that told you he laughed and smiled often- as I had assumed was the case- it was because when I let the name of my newest descendent flow off of my tongue it was filled with a kind of compassion and softness, like when I spoke my own son's name.

"Hai, I can still hate the boy." He admitted with a tinge of guilt, "but not in the same way that Daemon hates. I just know that he is too compassionate."

I wanted to protest, to say that it wasn't a bad thing to be too compassionate, but part of me knew it was.

"He is too concerned with his friends' safety, and one day he will die for the sake of them; even for that pair who care little for his wellbeing right now." Ugetsu sighed, and his fists clenched in anger and pain, "When he does, I know that my boy will lose all sense of life and preservation. He is riding on Tsunayoshi's life right now. Willing to give up anything and do anything for your boy. To lose him...I fear he will lose himself."

"Takeshi is not so weak, Ugetsu," I comforted, clamping my hand on my dear friend's shoulder. "he will not fall because my child does."

"No," Ugetsu admits, looking at me with a kind of knowing, "I suppose he won't. But I also know that he will most likely die before your child does. He is that resolve. More aware than anyone but he and I know."

I knew the hidden meaning in the words, of course I did. A rain's job is more than it says upfront. Ugetsu and even Squalo fulfilled their job far better than anyone gave them credit for, and apparently, Ugetsu believed that Takeshi would too. I took his words as his admittance to siding with Tsunayoshi; I knew I had my friend's faith. Knowing I wasn't alone- wasn't mad for my choice- was comforting.

But unfortunately, the calm evening and soft day did not last long. Soon enough the Varia were moving and as soon as we were close enough to the school for me to separate from Xanxus I did so, waiting on the school grounds until I was able to see Tsunayoshi coming and feel his aura again. I needed to know if he was like me, as Ugetsu had suggested.

I was waiting in the air, watching as movement shifted within the school when I felt Tsunayoshi's flames press against mine in that probing, welcoming way that the boy had no idea of. It was a testament to his compassion and his heart that his flames so openly greeted another's; even if he wasn't aware of it. It would offend some people to feel the pressure of the sky flames, but they are not me, and I find myself happy to be in his presence again. He was a saving light after all. Even when he was childish and ignorant.

Tsunayoshi appeared right behind his rain, he scrubbed his hair in a fit of confusion and anxiety, and I could almost read the thoughts. "Who is right? What am I suppose to do? Yamamoto's opponent is that strong long haired guy!"

I laughed despite myself; Decimo was certainly interesting and refreshing.

The a spike appeared to my right and I watched with increasing horror and anticipation as the Varia rain appeared before Takeshi, sword raised in a silent askance of battle. One the Decimo rain did not hesitate to reply.

"If Dad says it's invincible, then why wouldn't it be?" Takeshi grinned at his friend, and a deep warmth settled into my chest. For all I complained about the boy being only an athlete I truly did think he was perfect for the rain.

"Invincible?! Only idiots call themselves invincible!"

I spun my gaze onto the Varia assassin, watching as he analysed and judged the black-haired swordsman try to comfort his friend. Of course, he was right. Those who believed themselves immortal were sooner killed and never improved. It was a dangerous state of mind. Of course, the irony didn't escape me; I believed myself more than mortal, and yet, here I am forever alive in a ring.

"Hiiiieee! No way- it was the wrong thing to do?!" I almost wanted to smack my descendent, though the words were spewed in his characteristic panic and paranoia- that dreaded lack of self-confidence he seemed to embody- the words could crush his friend. Had it been said to his bomber I know the battle would be won for the Varia assassin.

"Do not feel anger towards the boy, Giotto." Ugetsu appeared at my side, a hand on my shoulder and a warm smile on his lips. "You said it, old friend, Takeshi is much stronger than that."

"Is it really? – feels like I'm standing in the batter's box with the last chance to score... I'm getting chills!" The swordsman was smiling, watching the assassin with a barely contained grim of confidence and anticipation. Even I, with years of peace, felt the bristling anticipation of a true battle raging in the air. I grew excited, the air sparking with those blissful rain flames.

"!...Yamamoto..?"

I felt the flames in Tsunayoshi's core shift as he took in his guardian's form- the subtle shake and excitement bleeding off of him- and as I watched on, amazed and proud, I spotted the barely contained smile lifting Tsunayoshi's lips. He was confident and proud of his friend.

"If it's Yamamoto, he'll find a way."

There was that spark in Tsunayoshi I had seen many times, the part of him that was confident. The part that truly believed they could win. The part of him that was uncharacteristically protective and aggressive. He would make an amazing boss; he has already shown that to me.

With Ugetsu's arrival I noticed that the courtyard was much more crowded than usual. Decimo's other guardians arrived quickly the storm and sun blasting in quickly and lighting the air in friendly banter and heated arguments. Despite the sharpness of the tongues and the volume of the calls, I could see both Decimo and Takeshi relaxing, smiling a little more naturally despite the situation.

"It is good to see you, old friend!" A warm, obtuse voice echoed to my right as another of my guardians appeared. "It is the ULTIMATE pleasure!"

Despite the situation I embraced my friends and laughed as they began to chat comfortably. I noticed Alaude flit around, but he quickly vanished as he caught my eyes. Of course, while my friends spoke in laughter and smiled I noticed out actions all but mimicked by Decimo and his own gathered guardians.

"It's strange to see our own actions on others, eh, Giotto?"

"G, I didn't think you'd come to watch anymore of the battles."

My guardians made a non-committal sound before following the Decimo and his guardians deeper into the school grounds. I noticed Ugetsu and Knuckle chuckling lightly under their breaths at G's antics, and tried not to smirk as I noticed G's light blush, barely hidden by his long hair and red tattoos.

"This is the battle arena, Aquarion, fit for only the perfect rain to fight in."

Even I jumped a little as the strange women appeared upon the strange arena where the rain battle would take place. No matter how many years I had spent watching Vongola interact with the Cerevello- apart fro the first year, I was alive when my cousin became Secondo- I still cannot get over my initial reaction to them. They are strange and dangerous. They scare me more than they should.

"Like a sinking ship."

I couldn't help but agree with the Arcobaleno tutor, they way the arena had been sealed and destroyed looked like the inside of a doomed ship. Water falling from the ceiling and rubble littering the entire area; it was a wreck and it gave me the chills.

"The ULTIMATE graveyard for a rain, may God protect their young souls."

There was a crash and mingle as the mirroring flames met. Rain and rain clashed, storm flames danced out as their wielders grinned and growled at each other. But none of them compared to the great rush of energy and emotion that permeated the air between the two skies.

"Xanxus!?"

I watched with anticipation and unease as their eyes met in steeled, but resolved glances. There was a kind of mirroring in the internalised flames. Both were determined for their own win, and both men were strong and protective-even if they showed it in different ways. Tsunayoshi openly showed his heart, wearing it on his sleeve; a liability for damage and taken advantage of. Xanxus was different-

"Get rid of them for me."

He gave his support and trust by giving orders and expecting them to be fulfilled. He didn't give his heart to everyone, but equally each of his guardians has a piece of it. And I could see from their relations- as violent and brutal as they were- was the same as Decimo's. They had lived a different life after all.

"I know that he is not related, Giotto," Ugetsu began with a frown, "but it is unnerving how similar the boy is to Secondo."

I could only nod as I watched the tension mount. It was another time I wished I could interfere. I wished I wasn't just some unwanted referee. All I could do was watch, maybe hope that my feelings would be noticed. I wanted to stop them, to tell them that this was useless; not one of my traditions.

"Do not get depressed, or I'll have no option but to arrest you."

I was not exactly surprised to see my cloud guardian, he was not so much like his child guardian; he was once upon a time, but adulthood had done wonders for him. What I was more surprised about was the grin on his face, and the happiness in his stride.

"My apologies, Alaude."

"Hn,"

"I'd give Giotto more respect, bastard." G's words were scoffed and not nearly as biting as say Gokudera Hayato's were, these two violent guardians had many more years of companionship than the Decimo guardians.

That didn't make it any less entertaining to watch them, though.

"He'll probably come to watch."

I had been so distracted by my own guardians that I hadn't noticed the new sky entering the area. While Xanxus has stalked off with his lightning- I didn't see Lampo anywhere- Tsunayoshi had continued to stare off until Dino Cavallone's arrival.

Alaude suddenly looked up and to his left, just over his shoulder before a predatorily grin ripped his lips and his eyes shot to the Cavallone heir. "Wao."

I noticed not only Ugetsu, but even G raise their eyebrow at the uncharacteristic gesture of the cloud. But before I could really comment I noticed a stock of black hair, and the flickering jacket in my peripheral. I could only internally gape as I realised that Cavallone was talking about Decimo's cloud staying to watch the match. Something I never imagined even possible.

Wao indeed.

As we all walked towards the arena, Tsunayoshi moving subtly towards the viewing area as his rain moved towards the center I suddenly felt drained and tied.

While I didn't like to admit it, I was tired of living on for eternity. I was tired of the constant ring battles and the never ending violence my famiglia caused. It was never- never- my intention for Vongola to become like this. Heir's battling with their lives for the title of next boss? It was ridiculous and disgusting. The Vongola didn't even need blood heirs! The fools were just too hung up on keeping the famiglia within the family to see that they were destroying themselves and my entire purpose of Vongola.

No, I do not blame Secondo for his actions. He did not make Vongola a mafia. I blame myself for creating the Vongola. If I had been stronger, if my people more resolved, maybe it would have never fallen. Then these two swords men- both strong and resolved to win for their 'famiglia'- would not have to meet and battle in such a grueling way.

"Do not blame yourself, Giotto. What is happening now is not your fault." G walked beside me, whispering comfortingly as we strode towards the gathered.

"You are projecting your guilt again." Ugetsu hummed as he approached us, "It is unlike you, your guilt is never so strong with the candidates."

"Is it because they are children?" Knuckle asked with a nod of understanding. "They are like you were, my friend, the same age, unwilling to be a Mafia." He hummed again, the whispers of 'it is so regretful' echoing the silence.

"That doesn't matter, weakling." Alaude stepped up, spearing me with a strong, aggressive stare, "They have chosen to follow the little brunet of their own free will. Stop being guilty for things you cannot control; dead or not, I will arrest you."

A deep, but light sound bubbled from my chest as tears gathered in my eyes. The laughter was joined by Ugetsu's bubbly tone and Knuckle's boisterous booming chuckling. Even Alaude and G's sighs were half-amused, half-exasperated. It felt good to laugh. These trials were usually filled with turmoil and grief. Very few of us could talk during the half-ring tournaments, we were souls split and out opinions always clashed spectacularly. To laugh and talk amiably. It was a new, beautiful feeling.

"Do your best..." Tsunayoshi's voice pulled me back from my laughter, as I was once again amazed to see the sheer awareness he had, and how well he either hid it or how truly unaware he was to having it.

I could practically feel the worry roll off of Decimo's shoulders. His face was soft and carefree, the slight worry that of a concerned friend. But underneath I could feel his flames flickering unsurely. He was worried for his friend, that was the outright truth. Of course, he was taken away by his guardians and tutor, his guardian smiling with the promise of a win under his belt.

"I'll make you regret not running away a week ago."

Squalo as expected and as usual was confident, grinning and happy.

"Haha! You won't know if you don't try."

Both were proud and brilliant. I have never, in all my years watching these tournaments seen two combatants as enthusiastic about their skill. Squalo was better, that was without question. He has years under his belt and enough training and resolve to kill his opponent with no questions asked and no blinking needed.

I understood, and agree with the assessment that Squalo really should be Decimo rain.

I watched on, G and Ugetsu at my side with frown marring their brows and both clashed spectacularly. Their swords clash and I watch them speak, but ignore their words. I feel that heavy exhaustion. That sheer weight of the battle. It is brilliant, a true show of skill against potential. But that potential scares me.

"If you thought that was my strongest, you are a fool!"

I'm not really sure why Squalo was offended, but the sheer disgust on his face- offended at whatever suggestion the Decimo rain made- and the sudden, angry scoff of "That fucking idiot," from G told me that Takeshi has probably made an athlete's mistake.

Apparently, he knew he has made a mistake too.

Sheer panic surfaced on his face as he dodged the attack, sinking low and taking a stance I remembered from something long ago. It was reminiscent of a familiar swords style, but I was not versed in such things.

"7th defensive form- spraying rain."

Ugetsu jolted for a moment, his eyes wide as he watched the fight, he was never excited about a ring battle, not even now. But something has intrigued him. Something I wish I could understand.

Time is relative, even in the best of situations. It is long, it is short. Minutes last hours and days last second. For someone who has lived too long and seen too much, guilt and exhaustion can fool the mind. Sometimes I see my time in the ring like some twisted record, I hear and I see, but I do not acknowledge.

So as the battles moves and sways, running like the water that floods the arena I notice subtle things.

"He dodged long-haired's attack!" Decimo has true confidence in his friends. Everything they do is a direct fuel to his strength. This fear is losing them. Not them losing.

"It's still a little rough...but to come this far in such a short time..." Ugetsu has a deep pride in swordsmanship, and Cavallone's cheap words cause even my kind rain to sharpen.

"When a normal person can fight fearlessly when suddenly plunged into the midst's of battle- other than being an idiot- it marks the true potential of a natural—born Hitman."

The Arcobaleno had no shame! I felt fury, despite feeling nothing. I saw Ugetsu stiffen and even saw G, who did not care for Decimo, clench his fist. Alaude narrowed his eyes in a way that told me, had he been alive he would have arrested the Arcobaleno for abuse. These were children, still. Even Knuckle, who had gone out of his way to watch and support me and the others, turned away to mutter silent prayers. We all knew that once an Arcobaleno had a hold of someone they never escaped.

Me? I just felt suitably numb. I was defeated. I could do nothing.

"Squalo looks extremely pleased about something."

Knuckle startles only slightly as Dino spoke his words. Of course I turned to my friend and found a contemplative look on his face. Of all my guardians it was Knuckle who could read expressions with the best clarity. He could even read Ottavo, who I sometimes had difficulty reading during her life.

"What id it, Knuckle?"

My black-haired friend startled again before looking at me with a contemplative, if not confused face. He looked back at Dino and Deimo as they spoke again is whispered urgency, before looking back at me.

"Cavallone and Squalo know each other, and despite appearances and what the assassin might say, they are very close friends too."

Of course this shocked me, I knew nothing of the Varia's past. Or at least, nothing of the guardians' pasts. I knew a little about Belphegor and Mammon, I knew about Squalo's rise to fame and his near miss as boss-hood. But I knew next to nothing about their personal life. It made me feel inadequate and wrong. I was being bias-

"I would say that Cavallone is bias towards the assassin, even if he wants his 'brother' to win."

-more so than even the Cavallone child.

It made me feel like I had failed. And the worse thing was I didn't even know why.

"I'm not here to kill you; I'm only here to win."

It is such a simple thing. It is something you wouldn't even blink at. Well of course you're not going to kill someone, right? Isn't it normal to inch away from killing?

In our world it is not.

I cannot even explain to you the sheer shock that hearing the innocence of youth in the mafia. I cannot tell you the joy, grief, turmoil, or guilt that assaults you at such flippant, innocent words. We are bloody and we are cruel. I will not lie. Vongola, even in my day, was willing to kill those in the Mafia to defend the innocent and help the helpless. We were not saints, though we were worshiped as such. We decided, and were determined; if the mafia had to exist as some twisted hierarchy, then we as the Vongola would take the sin and taint for the innocent to protect them.

But never were there such passion and innocence, such raw determination and potential in Vongola.

"Not killing..?"

"Wao."

"Is he an idiot?"

"God bless his innocent soul."

I don't really understand how we could have missed it. How any of my guardians were so hung-up on the idea of someone actually not wanting to kill, that we didn't notice the battle raging on, I will never know.

I know that, for the moments where I let my awareness drift away, my only thoughts were disgust. How far had we fallen? How tainted and twisted had we become when we assumed that fourteen year old children were ready, willing or even expected to kill another child only three years older than themselves? What had I done to my friends when they sat, shell-shocked at the realisation that killing wasn't always the answer?

I was disgusted. Truly, and wholly disgusted with the power of the mafia.

Sure, we were raised in a different time. Italy was overrun with the Mafia, with men who raped and took advantage of everyone. But never, never did I think that we would be so exposed ad desensitised to the Mafia taint that we would become mafia ourselves.

"This style of yours? I defeated it long, long ago!"

How could Squalo look so happy at the prospect of crushing another?

"Oh? Mine is invincible."

How could this child, bloodied and wounded, still talk with such assurance? So sure he would not kill but would win the title for his friend?

"I'm done holding back."

And I swear, on my ring and my family that Squalo didn't look cocky or even foolhardy. His smirk was neither confident nor sinister. The silver-haired man looked true to whatever-God happy. He looked pleased, excited, and whole. It was as if someone had given him a best friend. I suppose, in some sense of the Mafia, he was finally finding someone who was outside of it all. Someone, who at the end of the day, was genuinely having fun. It was, as they charged and clashed again, truly a fight of skills and testosterone. No holds, no consequences. It was a battle that I could tell, made both Takeshi and Squalo extremely contented.

"Requiem of Rain."

I knew the move well. Squalo was famous for his debilitating attack. He had downed many swordsmen with his paralysing strikes, and it seemed, no matter how much time had passed or how much potential Decimo's rain had, he would be defeated by the rain of another.

"How many years pass...and he doesn't change?" Xanxus has a nostalgic expression on his face, contemplative but content. He knew his rain would win; he had confidence, even if he didn't show it.

I do not know what post the two Varia leaders had with each other. I knew few things of their youth. I stayed with Nono up until a few months ago, and then I was split and shipped. I knew of Xanxus' past- as a son of Timoteo it isn't unusual, but I knew nothing of how Squalo and Xanxus met, not about why they trusted each other so much, despite being over the top with their displays of aggressions and distrust.

"It is not smart to be so narrow with a technique." Knuckle hummed with a slight disappointment. "As an assassin, I would think he knew this well."

"I'm about to deliver the death blow."

I watched Tsunayoshi startle and I felt the spike of flames all around us. Tsunayoshi knew that the shark was aiming his jibe at him, hoping to goad as violent a reaction as there was for the storm battle. But Tsunayoshi kept his tongue. He was more comfortable around the rain, as was always the case. It helped that the rain was soothing and calm and didn't bow at Decimo's feet, but you couldn't really help the attribute of storm that flowed in Hayato Gokudera's veins.

"Surging Rain."

I didn't even believe it when Squalo fell. His body hit the water with a slash and silence. As the assassin fell I could see his world fade, Takeshi had still used the back of his sword. He had kept his ideals, and I was amazed that he was so strong.

"He came up with that on the spot?" I don't believe that is totally true, because he had the makings of greatness in his blood. Tsuyoshi was an incredible man, and I had a feeling he was hiding more than having a doujo could explain away.

"He's a natural born killer."

I watched both Ugetsu and Knuckle stiffen. Though I could not blame them. The Arcobaleno did not chose his words as carefully as it seemed, if he had said 'fighter' or 'swordsman' then it would be excusable because Takeshi was all of those things. He was a natural athlete and possessed strong fighting instinct that seemed to be the core talent he possessed. But no one. I mean no one was a natural killer. To call a child of fourteen a killer- even my stomach churned uncomfortably.

"That Arcobaleno needs to learnt o hold his tongue." Knuckle hissed somewhat, I watched him sighn to his God and whisper a harsh prayer for forgiveness for his actions..

"Takeshi is a child. How dare he say that against my candidate." I watched with widening eyes as Ugetsu's words registered in my mind. He had addressed Takeshi not as a candidate but as I addressed Tsunayoshi, as if they were our children. It made me shiver, I hate were we are in the mafia, how we think. But to know we are changed so easily by this generation. It is scary, exciting, worrisome, and enthralling all at once.

"He is a Hitman; you cannot fault him for his keen eye when that is all he can do anymore. He has been in the mafia too long."

"Condemning children is never excused." I was surprised when that didn't come out of Knuckle's or Ugetsu's mouth, but instead my own.

Were those really my beliefs now, having met Tsunayoshi?"

"I won!"

I wanted to laugh at Takeshi's expression, and I heard Ugetsu chuckle under his breath beside me. For all the seriousness in his expression, and the number of times during that battle where I froze with realisation of his potential, Takeshi shill maintained that childish-innocence. He was completely euphoric about winning; I bet he would have danced had the situation not been more serious.

"Squalo." The words were whispered, a slip of the tongue. I saw Xanxus flinch for just a moment before his booming voice overpowered the doubt that he had previously spoken.

"All that big talk... and he still looses!?" Xanxus was laughing, bent over and slapping his knee. Completely entertained by his members defeat. "He's no use to us anymore."

But there was more to his words. Somewhere deep down, loyalty was still at his core.

"The water has reached a level where the beast has been released." The Cerevello prevented more bloodshed, herding the Varia back to their boss, however, they probably caused the most damage of the night, and completely unintentionally as well.

"Wait! What...is gonna happen to Squalo?" He sounded like a child, confused, lost. A child who didn't understand an adults' line of thinking.

"Thought so...nothing for it then..." suddenly the snappish man was heaved onto Decimo rain's shoulders, the man staggered a little, the boy was four years younger than Squalo. Even if Takeshi was just as muscular.

"Put me down." Squalo's words were tense, but he had a deep lingering feeling behind them, "I am a swordsman, and I have my pride."

I watched with pained focus as Squalo threw himself to the shark that circled the arena. I knew as I watched his expression that it wasn't his pride alone that rejected Takeshi's help. Squalo was honourable and strong, but he knew that Takeshi was not yet strong enough to save them both. Squalo's loyalty and pride, and that honour deep in his chest knew that the one with the potential needed to live; and in the Mafia, no Sky could live without Rain.

"Your swordsmanship ain't bad kid. It needs a lot of seasoning"

Even Squalo knew, or possibly hoped, as the Shark came for him, that Tsunayoshi would become the sky for Vongola. Though, I believe that all rain's have an instinct to knew what is needed for their boss, and Squalo knew that Xanxus needed a defeat, and someone like my Tsunayoshi to heal him form the wounds he had self-inflicted.

"That pain in the ass is fish food!"

Xanxus' laugh was boisterous, and I saw tears gather at the strain of the laugh against his gut.

"That ties up loose ends."

But his words were soft and I knew he felt the loss of his right-hand, even if he couldn't outwardly show it.

I do not believe that Xanxus is unfit to be a boss. He is simply everything that Tsunayoshi is not. Together they would make, I believe, the perfect boss. T

he softness and steel would counter each other to make someone who could comfort and reprimand.

The compassion and practicality would clash and make someone like Kevlar, flexible but impenetrable.

Of course, they each made beautiful bosses in their own right. I just wish that in the future they can work together, because nothing would stop Vongola if these two bosses joined forced to lead them. Maybe with Tsunayoshi as Decimo that is possible.

"Dammnit!" Takeshi fell to the rubble, shaking and confused. His eyes stayed on the wash of blood and I knew that this would change him internally. This death would probably be more of a milestone than any kill he had to put in for Tsuna in the future. And I hated knowing that.

"I wish that this wasn't his first battle." Ugetsu sighed, his eyes glistening in a way that was not tearful, "Squalo is a good man, he didn't deserve to go out like that. Takeshi is just a child...to see that..."

"Squalo died...and his Boss doesn't even care!"

My heart still bled for Squalo. I knew he was a strong and loyal man. He was righteous, and I knew in time he could have changed his boss for the better. But I was still with myself enough to feel pride in Tsunayoshi, and I knew at least Ugetsu and Knuckle appreciated the openly protective, if not innocent values he held as he cussed out Xanxus' actions in his own way.

I wonder, how would Tsunayoshi react if he knew Xanxus' core values, as I had seen? I almost shake with excitement at the prospect of them meeting when Tsunayoshi's intuition is burning through his veins. Would he realise it then, that Xanxus isn't as cold as he outwardly appears?

"Hn, the Cavallone is an interesting man." Alaude appeared between Ugetsu and I, watching the Decimo gathering with interest and exhaustion. "He is openly hypocritical, het he understands more."
"You can almost read his thoughts while you look at him, hmm?" Knuckle whispered at our side.

No one agreed with him, because we were all thinking the same, hypocritical thing. We all watched Decimo's group, and even the Varia members, knowing the minimum about them,

They are just children...made to fight adult battles.

None of us could really say anything, we were attached to the Decimo in some way, be that disagreement or faith in them becoming Decimo. We all saw ourselves in them, except we away an innocent version of ourselves. Even at fourteen and fifteen we knew the pain and filth of the world. We were street rats. We knew of death and deceit. These children lived in a time where they did not see, and it was truly our fault that they were seeing it now.

"We can only wait until tomorrow. It's the mist battle." G swung his arm around my shoulder, and as one movement we drifted away from the children and back into our rings.

Holy BullHonkey...this section is so franning long, the chapter might not be, but the Manga was! Seriously. I was writing this and was trying to figure out when it would end!

But I guess this is my punishment for not updating for so long, eh? Well it's not like I minded, I appreciate you guys so much more than I can explain. So please, please accept this long-ish chapter as my apology?
Much love, thank you~

~~Bleach-ed-Na-tsu :3