"This won't work."

Tsunayoshi stares at the elaborate plans before him. So many options and reroutes, situations taken into consideration. Papers cover the entire table and planning board before them. Verde gives him an inquisitive glance. His hand still pointing to a nearby plan, although it was so small one had to squint to see his finger.

"None of these take the possibility of the ring not reacting into account."

To which Verde rolls his eyes. "There is a ninety nine point eight percent chance it will react to you."

And Tsuna, he almost chokes on his own words. "What about the other point two percent?!"

He should have expected but did not expect the textbook to whack him in the head. A thinner one and yet it still hurt. Just like Kurokawa's...he can't help but miss Namimori local hospital in which he may never return to. Although many were traitors there are the decent beings he misses.

"Ouch."

"You said that a minute after I hit you."

His mouth opens and re-closes several times before settling on an indecipherable mutter. He let out a surprised squeak when Verde himself hopped from the table and onto his lap. Hands travel to soft baby hair that was always weird but smelled of blueberry shampoo. He likes how it feels curled around his fingers and that it makes the tense infant relax as always it has.

Verde settles in his lap and Tsuna uses the free hand to pick up a document crammed with information and tiny text. "What if it's not me?"

And the tiny scientist, he knows what Tsuna means when he says that. Something along the lines of I don't feel as if I'm worthy enough. He pinches Tsuna's arm weakly. It's enough to make the other flinch however.

"It is you. It has always been you. Do not argue with the science behind it."

"But-"

Verde cuts him off. "It cannot be any other."

Tsuna can only nod in agreement. Despite the doubt an inkling of a smile appears. Verde is doing his best and so should he. So will he.

"Hey." He scoops up Verde in his arms and walks over to the sofa, falling backwards onto it. The infant visibly flinches. "In case anything happens...one hour?"

Almost mechanically he nods. Feeling Tsuna relax and settle into a comfortable position, gathering him into his arms towards the awaiting warmth. He would give him this because they both know very well how dangerous it is. They're facing death tonight. Very well they could die, either of them and he understands that this is all Tsuna wants. As a just in case precaution. As a possible goodbye.

They will get this hour.

And unaware to him, Tsuna sheds a tear.

"How are we supposed to be on guard if we don't even know their strategies?"

Hayato is rushing to catch up with the furious pace of Kyoya who is meandering from hall to hall with impatience. And unfortunately Hayato has become an embodiment of Kyoya's annoyance. He stops directly in his tracks and the bomber ducks to avoid a blow to the skull.

"Ask a higher up, herbivore. You're irritating."

At those words he bristles but does not pursue it any further because it lacks the ability to gain anything. So promptly he turns on his heel and runs smack into Takeshi. "Watch where you're going." He almost snarls at the taller, Takeshi rather confused as to the added hostility.

"Irritated? The baby said he knows what the other guy is capable of."

"Other guy?" Hayato is spitting venom at this point. Not necessarily at the other but out of pure frustration. "That other guy happens to be Verde, one of the arcobelano and a skilled scientist! Anything could happen!"

And Takeshi shocks him. Because instead of shrugging it off he lays a hand gently on his shoulder before gripping it firmly, enough for a slight pain. And says in a serious voice Hayato seldom hears "I know." before patting it and meandering down the hall.

"Fuck."

Trembling he is. And he cannot help it one bit. He'd finally found a family who would accept him and now...one attack, the predicted one tonight could ruin it all. Everything that he was and that stood with him. Would he have to return to father? To Bianchi? To those he does not feel safe with. Even though he has few people here he might lose it and that Sawada brat will in turn gain the world.

Gritting his teeth together he marches down the corridor and to his room.

He will never let them win.

"Put it on a moving target." Those were Reborn's words exactly and yet Kyoko wonders why of all the stronger people here it has to be her. She who is weaker than Xanxus, Dino and the rest. Even if it were trust it made no sense.

She stares at the ring unable to understand. If it is to be worn by the appropriate user then it will ignite into the purest flame and strongest consistency. So why would they want to convince someone outside the Vongola? Regardless of heritage which is skipped over due to complications. She looks at her own Sun ring. Though a smaller version of her brother's it is equally strong.

And her brother...he is preparing to risk his life as the others are.

"Unforgivable."

She breathes, tucking the tiny velvet box into it's designated pocket. Anyone who harms her familiga will never be forgiven regardless. And though she knows they are both driven from overwhelming fear she refuses to sympathize. Mainly for the reason if her brother is to be hurt it will be too much to bear. There is too much at stake here.

She won't let him have it. Not even if it were to cost her life.

I felt like it was going too fast so I wedged this chapter in. Sorry if it's kind of odd? I feel as though it was necessary to add in something instead of cutting straight to the battle. I'm so sorry for so many line cuts.

Also serious Takeshi is what I am here for as well as supportive friendships which you're going to see a lot of. Supportive relationships in general are best.

Please don't forget to leave feedback! I really appreciate it and often reply to everything.