Chapter 21: Illness

Kokuyo Land and both Mukuro and Chrome were now facing two of the Reverse Flame users, Hiroto of Lightning and Ramiro of Storm. Mukuro can't help but chuckle on the two.

"Do you think you can beat us? Even if it was just the two of us, it doesn't mean we're not strong enough to beat two Reverse Flame users." Mukuro said, somehow taking the challenge.

"Like I care for that, all in my mind was killing you both Rokudo Mukuro and Chrome Dokuro of Vongola." Ramiro said as he touched his forehead, ready to show one of his memories to begin their battle.

Hiroto added, "This is for Armira-sama" He touched his forehead, ready to offer his memories.

Mukuro chuckle on sight, "Kufufufu I'll make sure both of you regret it. Chrome" He touched his forehead, ready to offer his memory.

Chrome nod in response and touched her forehead, "We want answer from both of you. I think it would be a great opportunity to know more about her and… Bossu."

"Bossu? You know little girl, I heard few things about you but I already felt disgusted, after what you had done to your precious boss." Ramiro said in calm and mockingly.

This twitch her eyes as she now thought of never holding back, much as Mukuro's pleasure. At the same time, both side offered their memories as it showed to every participants about the memories they had offered.

"Mukuro-sama" Chrome called as Mukuro turned around and smirk on her coming. They were right now in the Vongola Mansion's garden and in the center of it. There were white flowers around as really it was a beautiful place.

Chrome sat down and stares on the white flowers that were growing. Mukuro can't help but chuckle, "Does my Dear Chrome like flowers that much?"

Chrome looked to Mukuro with a smile and nod, telling him yes.

"Chrome, Mukuro so this is where you are." Both turn around and smiled on the person that came to join with them.

"Bossu welcome back!" Chrome greeted the coming boss, Sawada Tsunayoshi. He smiled brightly and replied, "I'm home"

The memory Chrome offered vanish and Mukuro's offered memories entered.

The place right now was dark and there are smells of bloods around. Mukuro was on the center, alone and huffing, seems tired. He looked around, seeing no one was around, he continued to run forward.

'What a tiring day' Mukuro mentally complain as he keep running away, somehow looking for something. As he kept going, he is using his mist to distract the coming enemies and slash them to death. He smirk, no one had ever succeed taking him, much more touch him.

The memory end and this time Ramiro's memory was next to be scene.

They were in the mountain with his brother. They seem little bit lifeless as they continue to follow the girl in front of them who was actually Armira. She was quiet as she walked and none of them had courage to talk until she does.

"We're here"

Both brothers looked on the place that seems to be their new start. It was a small house and none seems to be living there anymore.

"He found this place for both of you, knowing you two have no place to live much more take shelter." Armira began, "This house seems old but if you two work together you can make this a better home and start anew life." She said straightly to both of them.

Both bothers somehow can't believe what they were seeing, much more a chance to live peacefully, where there will be no pain and no suffering from other people. It seems Armira and her other companion knew that so they decide to find a place where there will be less people living, which was within the mountain.

Armira who was observing them sighs, "You two might be hungry. I'll go down in town to buy some food for all of us and mostly both of you. After this you're all on your own."

Armira walked away and pass through them. She was about to head down when Ramiro spoke.

"Why are you helping us?" Ramiro can't help but ask, "No one usually doesn't care anything about us, but you? Why?"

Armira looked down for a second, thinking an answer she could give to them. she sighs and answered, "Because of the Reverse Flame I'm sensing to both of you."

"Reverse Flame?" Richard, his brother asked.

Armira nod, "Did you know it's a dangerous Dying Will Flame? Well you two might be confused on what I'm saying so I'll tell everything later." She looked away, "And beside, the two of you reminds me of myself from the past. It's not only both of you who had experience being treated like an animal."

She walked away, leaving both of them behind. Ramiro was somehow confused on what she means by those words. For some reason, he looked to his brother who somehow, his eyes shining. Ramiro was shock to see his brother. He can feel what he was thinking. He had found a reason to live.

Ramiro's memory ended and it was soon shift by Hiroto's offered memory.

Within the night city, Hiroto gave a long sigh. He was assign to an assignment, an elimination to be exact. He looked around, seeing those around him were leaving normal, loud people, street noise and lights of store and cars around. He gave another sigh again. He decides to look for his target that as far as he remembers, his client told him the target will be walking around within this hour.

He kept looking on every people, until he saw the target. A blond person and seems a chick boy. He has females around him, seems wanting his attention more than ever.

'I better finish this useless job.' Hiroto thought and decide to walk forward on that person.

The target has no clue as he just continues giving his smile and talking to his girls when suddenly, a pain of his stomach was felt. He looked down in horror, seeing his golden cloth was being stained in blood, his blood. He was so shock as he fell down, giving a panic to the girls around him and scream for help which everyone looked to them.

Afar, Hiroto kept walking away, not minding the commotion. He looked down and secretly looked to his dagger that he used to quick assassinate the target. He took something from his pocket and it was a paper towel. One swipe of his blade and throw it away and hid his dagger within his back.

He sighs again, 'What a boring day.'

He walked to a narrow road, wanting to get away without anyone noticing. He kept walking until he saw someone in front of him. There within the shadow were two people, the girl with ruby eyes and another who can't be unidentified.

He narrowed his eyes and unconsciously grabbed the handler of his dagger. He sense danger around them.

"Who are you?" He asked with narrow eyes and suspicious tone. The two didn't answer quickly, at the same time seems knew what he was holding and none of the two moved to do something about it.

The reality came back as they all finish seeing each of their memories.

"Another stupid memories we saw from them Ramiro." Hiroto said out loud. Ramiro kept smirking, "What do you think they'll ever show Hiroto? The princess did say these people will never admit their mistake, much more show their disgusting memories to anyone."

The two mist users glare them.

"I'll make you two wish you never side with her." Mukuro threaten, making the two laughs.

"Try me" Ramiro and Hiroto said in union, making their battle begin.

Namimori shrine, Yuni and the others were shock on what they had seen within their minds.

"Wha-what was that just now kora?" Colonnello was the first one to recover and asked.

Verde was thinking about it until he took something from his pocket and it was a paper. It was the glowing paper last night, the rules of the game.

Verde was reading it and somehow found the answer, "It says here that all participants could see the memories of those who were about to battle, within or without their reach."

"Does that mean what we had seen was memories?" Fon asked. Skull was humming for moment, "We seen Dokuro Chrome and Rokudo Mukuro's memories and with other two that we had met last night… do you think they're fighting against them?"

Thinking for a moment somehow made them realize the situation.

"This is bad kora!" Colonnello said as he stood up.

Kokuyo Land, Ramiro and Mukuro made a clash as they both kept attacking to one another. Mukuro used his first path of hell, creating a fire pillar with lotus. Ramiro with his Reverse Storm Dying Will Flame, he able to destroy such illusion so easily.

Hiroto on the other hand was using his Reverse Lightning Flame as his wide range attack, giving Chrome a hard time to come near to him. Chrome was using her illusion, creating venomous snakes, heading to him. Hiroto easily destroyed those illusions and run, heading to Chrome.

Hiroto charger his lightning and gave a wide range strike. Chrome covered herself from his lightning but it seems so strong that she was hit with great power.

"GYAAAAAH!"

Mukuro slashed Ramiro away before looking to Chrome's, "Chrome!" He yelled and was about to run, heading to her when Hiroto suddenly dash him and gave an attack. Mukuro blocked his attack and Ramiro took this as an opportunity to pass through on the two, planning to finish Chrome as soon as possible.

Ramiro was about to finish her when a sudden memory came inside their mind.

"Kyo-san" A man said as he came, holding some papers in hand. He was now in front of the Vongola's Cloud Guardian, Hibari Kyoya. "There is a report saying Vongola Decimo is having a meeting with Demiro Famiglia. He has no other companion other than few men and his fiance who we believe is Caito Armira."

Hibari Kyoya who was working with his papers stop and looked to his men, "Not the Carnivore?"

The man who was Kurasabe nod, "Reborn-san was assign in the different mission. So he can't accompany him at this moment."

Hibari hum before returning back to his work.

'That Herbivore was accompanying him huh, just what are those people hiding?'

Reality came back to normal and suddenly, someone had protected Chrome from Ramiro's attack. It was Hibari Kyoya with his flaming Cloud Flame. Ramiro was bit surprise before smirking.

"So you decide to join huh." Ramiro said, making Hibari smirk.

Hibari swing his tonfas but Ramiro jump back to dodge it. Hiroto also jump back to regroup himself with Ramiro while Mukuro took the opportunity to run, heading to Chrome.

"Are you alright Chrome?" Mukuro asked. Chrome smiled and nod, she looked to Hibari who saved him. "Thank you Cloud Guardian… for saving me."

"Hn, all I want is biting them to death." Hibari said as he ignites his flame even more.

"Kufufufu so from the very beginning, you already notice the strangeness around him huh. Still in the end you failed to find anything about it." Mukuro said, remembering the memory Hibari had offered to save Chrome.

Hibari didn't mind answering him for now and took a stance and so was Mukuro.

"Hmm… The Cloud had joined huh… now that I think about it, there is no violation in interference right?" Hiroto clarified to Ramiro.

He nodded as an answer, "Princess did say we can interfere anytime too as long as you offer your memories. To think he analyze it well, looks like what Princess told about him was true."

Hiroto smirk, "We get three Guardians in our own hands."

Hiroto immediately dash in great speed while Ramiro spread his Reverse Storm Flame around his lance and shoot them with small but fast and powerful reverse Storm ball. The three immediately jump away and dodge them, although it gave a quite smoke around them, making them not see their surroundings.

"Campo Reverse fulmine!" Reverse Lightning surrounded their place where they were standing and suddenly strike them with great amount of lighting, making them all feel the pain.

Arcobaleno's place, they were now running around to find where Mukuro and Chrome were when suddenly, someone came in front of them. it was Armira, holding katana to her right hand and seems serious.

"I won't let you interfere with any of them. This is a game, they should know how to survive on their own." Armira said as she slashed her katana around, making them alert and ready.

Yuni decide to speak, "Caito Armira just what is your goal from making this a game?"

"Simple, to prevent death" Armira answered her straightly, "You gave me a hard time and headache. I said this before, I prefer killing all of you in this battle but because you're using your present selves' body, I cannot do such act." Armira gave a sigh, showing she is very disappointed.

All Arcobalenos glare her, not liking her at all which took her liking.

Armira used her left hand to touch her forehead, telling only one word to all of them.

Armira smirk, "Shall we have a battle? He did tell me to test my improvement by battling all of you." In her mind, 'Although I have no confidence that I could defeat all of you, at least I need to know my limit.'

Colonnello was the first one to step forward and touch his forehead, "You ask for it kora"

Armira narrowed her eyes, preparing her mind for their coming battle.

Somewhere, Gokudera, Yamamoto and Tsuna were running around. Both Gokudera and Yamamoto seem to be in panic while Tsuna was following them.

"G-Gokudera-kun? Y-Yamamoto? Wha-what's going on?" Tsuna asked, confuse on why they seems to be in panic.

"Memories" Yamamoto began, "We saw memories that seems to be belonged to Chrome and Mukuro. A while ago we saw another memory that seems to belong to Hibari."

"Hibari-san?" Tsuna questioned.

"I just check the rules and it indeed said all participants could see the memories of those who will enter the battle. That would mean they are fighting against those shitty woman's side." Gokudera said as he run away.

"Armi has a name and mind your language Gokudera-kun" Tsuna scolded that seems to hit Gokudera. Before he could apologize, Tsuna asked a question, "Do you know where they are?"

"We don't Tsuna, that's why we're searching for them and fast." Yamamoto answered.

Before they could run further, both Gokudera and Yamamoto again saw memories.

"Lal what do you think our son will take to his future kora?" Colonnello asked his wife. Lal hum for a minute before looking back to their baby and answer, "I think he'll become a strong person like us, you know, inheriting our skill and stuff."

"So you're saying he'll become like me kora?" Colonnello asked again. Lal smile and nod, "Not just you but me too idiot."

Colonnello can't help but laugh. He went behind his wife and hugs her. "I promise to you Lal, I'll protect our son and so are you kora."

"Don't put too much in your head or it might end up me saving you instead of me."

"Hahaha"

Another memory showed within their mind.

"Hey are you there?" Lal asked before coming in to a certain room, revealing a person who seems relaxing as that person drink his hot espresso.

"What do you want Lal?" The person who was relaxing asked in deep tone, seems not happy to be disturb, even if it's her. Lal gave a deep sighs and closed the door behind her, "There's something I'd like to ask about Reborn."

The person within the shadow and relaxing as he drinks his hot espresso was none other than Reborn their comrade and ex Sun Arcobaleno. His eyes were shadowed thanks to his fedora but within to those shadow, his eyes were narrowing. Leon his partner was on the table, observing the female ex failure Arcobaleno.

"State your business or else" He threatened, not bothering on looking at her anymore.

Lal took a deep breath before stating her business. "It's about that kid, Vongola Decimo." Lal observed him first if he react on her word but seems he didn't and still waiting for her to speak. She continued, "I heard some rumors. It was said he killed the boss of Higran Famiglia, is that true?"

Reborn didn't answer, instead he questioned her. "Why do you want to know?"

"I want to know how much that kid change. I know it's not right for me to ask this to you since he is your student and you are his tutor so perhaps you know more what's happening around him than we do." Lal took a deep breath again and continued, "I don't want to admit this Reborn but I'm starting to doubt myself from him. The vigilante group he had worked hard to restore might destroy because of himself instead."

Lal observe Reborn once again, seeing he seems thinking about what to answer. She waited until he spoke his answer. The answer she expected wasn't something really the thing she expected.

"If that's what you think, my answer is only this. 'You don't deserve to know anything at all.' Leave or I'll shoot you myself Lal Mitch."

The memory end and another was played.

"Master it's been a while" Adult I-pin greeted to her teacher, Fon.

Fon smiled and nod, "Me too I-pin, how do you do here in Vongola?"

I-pin smiled happily and nod, "I'm doing dine master. I'm doing my job well and I continue my training just like you told me Master." Fon nod happily, "Glad to hear that."

Fon looked around the Vongola Mansion happily before turning sad. I-pin seems to understand why as she decide to stay quiet too. Both decide to walk away and head to a certain place until they saw Armira with her dress walking around.

I-pin smiled and greeted her, "Armira-san good morning."

Armira looked at them and smiled, "Good morning I-pin. Oh if it's Fon, good to see you."

Fon smiled and nod, "Where are you heading Armira-chan?" Armira answered, "Looking for Tsuna. There's actually something I need to discuss with him and he's not to his office so I'm walking around trying to find him."

"Oh, do you want some help?" Fon offered. Armira shook her head, "No need Fon. I want to learn more about this mansion on my own so I'll just walk around on my own. Self study as they say."

"Are you sure Armira-san?" I-pin asked. Armira sighs and answered, "I'm sure. Well if you excuse me I have to go now. See you later Fon, I-pin."

Armria passed them and walked away. Both looked to each other before walking away in the different direction she was heading.

The memory end and another memory appeared.

Verde seems to be inside to his laboratory when suddenly, he heard a so called door bell. He used his monitor to look on the person who came to him and it was Shamal. Verde found it questioning since he never was close to him and much more talk to him.

"Verde can I speak with you?" Shamal asked on the camera. Verde was thinking for a second before asking first. "What do you want to talk about and how do you know where I live?"

"The beautiful woman told me." Shamal said smiling. Verde found it curious, he never talk to anyone about his place and much more a woman. Shamal on the monitor turn serious and went to his main point, "I have a reason why I need to talk to you. Do you happen to know a certain illness called Ardens Voluntas Morbo Morientibus?"

Verde thought for a minute, thinking about the name of the illness which was really he's not familiar with. "Can you tell me more? I happened not to hear about that kind of illness before."

"So in other words you don't know." Shamal murmured but Verde heard it. He narrowed his eyes, waiting for his response. Shamal scratch his head before walking away, "It's nothing, looks like it's up to me to research about it." Shamal became cheerful as he thought of someone, "Maybe Armira-chan could give me a lots of kisses when I done a great job hihi!"

Verde can't help but sweat drop, still glad that he's no longer around. Somehow the word Shamal asked him somehow troubled him so he decided to have a little research about it.

The memory end and another one showed.

Skull was enjoying his driving in their deadly race. Enma the boss of Shimon Famiglia was also there since he was invited by Skull to watch his race which he did. Skull seems doing fine as he kept his first place and drinking in great speed like crazy, knowing how dangerous the obstacle where, it seems he was so used that he didn't matter. The crazy race continues until Skull took the finish line, earning the first place and trophy. Enma went to Skull happily.

"Tha-that was so amazing Skull-san! Congratulation!" Enma said happily. Skull blush a bit, since no one had actually congratulate him, none to any Arcobaleno. "Thanks man and I'm glad you came to watch my race."

"What are you talking about? We're friends, its natural." Enma told him. Skull gave a questioning look, "But you're a boss right? Are you sure it's really okay for you to come and watch?"

Enma gave an assuring smile, "I am and I already finished my work before coming here. Besides, I also came for Tsuna's apology for not coming."

"I-I see…" Skull can't help but look down. Enma was now worried, "What's wrong Skull-san?" Skull continued to think before walking away and Enma followed from behind. "Y-you know Enma-kun…" Skull began, "I think Vongola had change. I don't know what happen so suddenly but really he indeed changed… like he's no longer the Vongola I know."

Enma can't help but look down, "Is that what you think?"

Skull took a bit silence as he remember him, one of the person he respected the most, Sawada Tsunayoshi.

He looked to Enma and asked, "What do you think… happened to him? For some reason I have a feeling a person like him couldn't change that so dramatically. I mean, nothing really bad happened right? No one died and no one left him… right?" Somehow Skull began to doubt the end of his words.

Enma gave a deep breath and looked on the sky sadly, "Indeed. No one died to make him change that way. No one left him, until they finally did."

"Eh?" Skull asked, somehow he could feel Enma know something.

"None of those people try to learn anything from him. They just judge him and left him so easily. Really, they made me angry." Enma said in bit anger, pertaining to a certain people. "Tsuna doesn't deserve them to be his Guardians, maybe they are not worthy to be called HIS Guardians. They are failures."

"Enma-kun" Skull called, sensing his anger somehow, he could feel the gravity is getting heavy. Enma noticing his action somehow gave a broken laugh, "S-sorry" Enma apologize.

Skull continues to stay quiet as he waits for Enma to regain his composure. Enma smiled to Skull, "Skull-san maybe if you try to talk to him, you might learn something about Tsuna. The burden he was carrying all these years."

"Burden?" Skull questioned.

The Memory end and another one appeared.

Mammon or Viper was alone in the forest night. He seems to be meditating until a certain person interrupts him.

"Ushishishi Mammon found" Mammon sighs before turning around, seeing the person who came to irritate him. "What do you want Bel?"

Bel or Belphegor of Varia chuckle before answering, "Just wanted to get amuse."

"Out of my sight, you're disturbing my meditation." Mammon said as he turned around. Bel chuckle once again, "Come on let's talk. I heard new rumors around Vongola, saying their Boss was turning into a demonic monster or so forth."

"It has nothing to do with me." Mammon spoke. Bel chuckle again, "Ushishishi are you sure? Its Vongola Decimo we're talking about. The person who cured that curse body of yours."

Mammon stayed quiet, not answering. Bel sighs before walking away, "You're boring"

Mammon didn't react as he stayed silence, inside to his mind, he was actually quite trouble of what's happening. What made the innocence and kind child turn that way?

The Memory end and another appeared.

Yuni was having trouble as she stare the beautiful garden. Her mind was still troubling after she had heard the changes happened to the beloved Boss of Vongola. Yuni can't help but sighs, she doesn't want to believe to any of those rumors, so she decided to talk to him in person.

Busy on her thought, Gamma came from behind. "Princess is there something wrong?" Yuni gave a smile as she turn around, "Still calling me Princess Gamma?" Gamma can't help but sigh and smile, "So what is my wife thinking this time?"

Gamma went beside him and hugged her. She returned the hug, seeking comfort around his arms.

"I was thinking about Sawada-san. I still can't believe what I was hearing about him." She said to him. Gamma stayed quiet as he gives comfort around her. "Don't worry, everything will be okay."

Yuni smiled and closed her eyes. "Thank you Gamma"

The memory end and another appeared, this time, something they never expect.

Sawada Tsunayoshi and Caito Armira went inside the black car and the driver drove away from a certain mansion. Tsuna can finally sigh and relax himself for a bit. Armira did the same. Remembering back, they actually came there because a certain meeting happened and Armira was assign, more like ordered to watch over him which she doesn't mind at all.

It was a quiet drive, until Tsuna finally spoke. "Armira… thank you for being there for me. If you were not, I might have killed another person again, much as I don't want to happen again."

Armira gave a small smile, "It's nothing Tsuna, beside it is the sole reason why he asked me to come with you while he's out for the different job you had given right?"

Tsuna can't help but give a small smile to that, "I don't want to bother him again and much more I don't want him to be hurt because of me."

Armira sighs to that, "He's not blaming you so get over with it idiot." She looked away for a bit before asking, "Just curious Tsuna… before it happened, you didn't feel anything weird around you? Like someone was whispering to do it or some sort."

Tsuna looked down and shook his head, "I didn't. I never thought about my action. It's like… I just did it without thinking."

"Like out of instinct huh… don't you sometimes feel your acting weird already?" Armira asked further. Tsuna shook his head, "I won't notice if you haven't stopped me Armi."

"I see." Armira was thinking about this for a minute and sighs, she seems down and guilt. "S-sorry Tsuna. If only my power of desire could help you… if only this power wasn't useless, maybe it could cure you. It pains me, like I can't help you at all. It really made me feel useless, much as I don't want to admit it but it seems to be."

"Don't say that Armira, I was actually thankful you are there for me. Not just you but Shamal-san, Dino-san, Enma-kun, Kawahira-san and Him. You never left me after how much trouble I had done, much more make you witness my dark side of mine."

"That's not your dark side, it's that illness inside you is making you change!" Armira strongly corrected. "If only Shamal could find something about that thing already, that way we could cure you and save you."

Tsuna smiled, seeing how Armira, his friend cared about him. He looked outside and spoke, "There's no need to work so hard Armira, I mean, I only have small time left to live."

"Don't think we'll let it happen Tsuna" Armira said with determination, making Tsuna look at her. Armira was wearing a certain ring before igniting it with her Dying Will Flame. It was a pure Rain Flame, still not in Reverse Flame. "We'll find a way to save you, even if those Guardians of yours left you, we will always stay by your side. I sweat that with my Dying Will Tsuna."

"Your resolve was truly beautiful Armira." Tsuna commented, making Armira happy. "Thank you for being my side Armira… I appreciate it."

Armira can't help but smile even more, unconsciously spreading her Rain Flame, giving the warm flame around them. Somehow it relaxed Tsuna.

"You're welcome Tsuna... Should I mention everything to Xanxus? He can shoot them with his flame of wrath right?"

"Please don't Armira, I don't want to have any Varia involve to this."

"Hmm... Then rest until we arrive home."

Tsuna nod as his response before entering to his slumber.

All memory show end. Somehow it made Gokudera sat down on the ground while Yamamoto needs the wall to keep him from standing. They were both sweating, still trying to compose themselves from the sudden memories that showed to their head.

"Gokudera-kun, Yamamoto are you both alright?" Tsuna asked in worried.

Both look to Tsuna before realizing something, Tsuna can't see the participant's memories because he is not one of them. Both look to each other, still composing and realizing what they had seen, much more the last memories that seems belong to Armira.

What illness are they talking about?

I do not own Katekyo Hitman Reborn