Chapter 23: Ring of Cloud Battle

Yuki's POV

Tonight was Hibari's battle and I was with the other waiting for Hibari to come. Before, after my crying incident, I must have fallen asleep because when I woke up I saw that Hibari was nowhere in sight. I didn't really mind though. I mean Hibari was a busy person and I didn't want to be a nuisance to him anymore than necessary. Even though I understand and everything, I can't help, but feel a bit disappointed that he left.

When Hibari arrived, he immediately asked, "What are you doing here?"

"We're here to support you to the EMTREME." Ryouhei shouted.

"You're just going to be an eyesore. If you don't leave in the next second, I will kill you." Hibari replied.

"Why you!" Both Ryouhei and Gokudera yelled.

"Hibari?" I said, ignoring the yelling.

"Hn."

"You better not die, or I will revive you and kill you myself." I said giving a murderous smile. Hibari blink before giving a small smile.

"Oh Hibari, this is for good luck." I said as I walk up to him. I give him a peck on his cheek before backing away. Hibari froze for a second before he recover and walk toward his opponent. I turn to see the other guys looking at me with gaping mouth.

"What?" I asked innocently.

We all went to the field where metal fences and barbed wires were set up to create the Cloud Ground for today's battle. There were also Gatling Guns and underground mines placed inside to apparently 'help' with the battle. I don't know whether to be excited or worried.

Before the battle Gokudera, Ryouhei, and Yamamoto did a group circle, but I simply ignore them. After I had woken up and found that Hibari was gone, I receive a fax with a picture of the weapon the Fukei had found. It was the same weapon as the one Hibari was fighting right now. I had a bad feeling about Hibari's opponent, not that I don't believe that he was going to lose, but it was more of the line of what was going to happen to the weapon. I find it absurd that I would worry over a weapon, a weapon from the enemy nonetheless, but the feeling seem to be telling me to keep a close eye on it.

"The Cloud Ring – Gola Mosca vs. Hibari Kyoya. Begin the battle." The judges announced and immediately the enemy rocket toward Hibari and I mean literally. It charge to Hibari and fire bullets out of his hand, but Hibari simple jog forward and instantly defeat it in one blow, amputating one of the weapon's arms. It was instant kill. Hibari calmly combine the two parts of the ring together before handing it to one of the judges.

"I don't need this thing." He said to the judge before turning to where the Varia was standing. Hibari then proceed to demand for Xanxus to come up and fight him. He even got the nerve to say, "Until I bite you to death, Monkey Boss of the Mountain of Monkeys, I can't go home."

Everyone was shock at Hibari, except me. I had expected for something like this to happen. Once Hibari sees a strong opponent he would always want to have a go at them.

"Yuki, are you okay?" Yamamoto asked as he watches me bang my head on a nearby wall.

"Of course, I'm fine. I feel SO great." I said sarcastically and continue to bang my head. Xanxus gave a big leap over the fence and try to kick while he was at it, but Hibari block it with his tonfas as his jacket fall from the breeze. Xanxus did a back flip and landed in a low crouch.

"My foot slip." He said.

"Right." Hibari replied, not believing him.

"No, really," Xanxus said as he jump to the side in time as a land mine exploded, "I came down only to retrieve that piece of junk. We have lost."

"Hmm, your face tells a different story," with that, Hibari sprint forward. He starts to attack Xanxus, swings after swings, but Xanxus simple dodge all of them. During this, the Gatling Guns were firing multiple of bullets and mines were going off as one of the two would trigger it.

"Don't worry, I won't raise an arm." Xanxus said.

"As you wish. Anyway, I'm going to bite you to death."

Eventually Xanxus rise up one of his hands, glowing orange, to stop one of Hibari's attacks.

"I thought you weren't going to raise an arm?" Hibari stated. Xanxus tsk before Hibari continue with his attacked and Xanxus dodging them.

I notice something before shouting out, "Hibari, watch out!" But I was too late, a green beam shot out and cut the side of Hibari's leg. Hibari leg collapse from under him and his face held surprise.

"What?"

"Hibari!" The guys yelled before noticing missiles heading right toward us. All the missiles landed and created a huge mess around them. Luckily nobody was hurt and had managed to dodge it on time. "Are you guys okay? Gokudera? Yamamoto? Ryouhei?" I asked as the black smoke slowly clear away.

"I'm fine," Gokudera said.

"Me too," Yamamoto coughed.

"What the hell happen?" Ryouhei groaned.

"I don't know," Gokudera replied.

"Oh no," I said capturing the others' attention as I saw Hibari's broken down opponent, up and rocketing around going berserk.

"I told you before, I only came to retrieve the junk, but their Guardian of Cloud stopped me," Xanxus stated to the Judges, "Because of him I lost control of mosca."

The mosca continue to wreak havoc around the area, destroying everything in sight. "It's shooting all over the place," Ryouhei stated, "if this continues all of us are going to die."

I glared at Xanxus as he started to laugh, enjoying the destruction around him. "He's laughing." Yamamoto said, slightly stunned.

"He'd plan to cause this accident from the start," Gokudera said, "no matter what, to wipe us out. That's why he taunted Hibari."

"You used me," Hibari growled as he stood up.

"Hey, the field is dangerous!" Ryouhei shouted, gaining my attention. I looked over to see a short, blue-haired, girl running across the field, holding a shortened trident and wearing an eye patch. She must be Chrome, the new Guardian of Mist.

She seems to pause for some reason and I could hear a very distant beeping. My eyes widen in realization. "Get out of there!" I shouted.

BOOM

We gasped slightly, but then sighed in relief once we saw that Chikusa and Ken had both saved Chrome. It was short-lived though once we saw that they were sandwiched by a field gun and the mosca. "They're sandwiched in!" Gokudera shouted.

"Come on, there's got to be something we can do." I shouted, rushing towards them. I know that this was reckless of me to blindingly charge forward like that, but I cannot let the three of them die. They seem to play an important part to the Vongola Family, so I won't let them die. I slide in front of them with my arms open and clench my eyes shut, waiting for the incoming pain.

A few second passed, but I felt no pain at all. Instead I felt some sort of heat, grazing my face. I snapped my eyes open and saw a wall of fire protecting the four of us from the bullets and laser. I glanced to the side and saw Tsuna standing beside me in his Dying-Will Form.

"Tsuna!" I said, smiling. In the corner of my eye, I saw Reborn and Basil entering the scene. Suddenly the mosca started to fly around, shooting missiles everywhere. Some head towards Tsuna, but Tsuna simply used his flamed hands to fly up and destroy the missiles.

"He's flying," I said nostalgically, recalling a certain memory. A small crash brought me back to the present and I saw both mosca and Tsuna on the ground, facing each other. The mosca shot out multiple of missiles toward Tsuna, but he managed to dodge them.

"He's focusing on Tsuna," I said to myself, eyeing the fight with a scrutinizing gaze.

"Juudaime!" I heard Gokudera shouted as Tsuna were hit with missile while his back to the fence, but he flew out of the smoke damage-free. Tsuna and the mosca continue to attack each other until Tsuna dealt the finishing blow to the mosca, while everyone else were amazed with Tsuna's strength. I survey the area and saw Hibari a few meters away from me, holding his shoulder. Worried, I quickly jogged over.

"Are you okay, Hibari?" I asked.

"Fine," Hibari grumbled as he stared at Tsuna. I wonder what he's thinking…Wait a minute! I narrow my eyes at the mosca as I recall something. Why did the mosca lost to Hibari? I'm not saying that Hibari was weak or something, but the mosca should at least put up more of a fight. I mean from what I had learned from the blueprints the Fukei had faxed me, the mosca should be stronger than this. Xanxus should have the mosca use his full strength to defeat Hibari and kill everyone in an instant, so why did he go so far to taunt Hibari and had the mosca go berserk?

An uneasy feeling took root in my guts as I watch the mosca shot up and charge towards Tsuna. Tsuna managed to stop it with only one of his arms as he uses the other one to cut the mosca open. A restrained person with white hair flops out of the machine.

"N-No, it can't be." I stuttered, recognizing the person. Why in hell is the 9th doing here? Immediately my face hardens. This was no time to be standing here stuttering like a girl confessing to her crush. I instantly sprint forward when I saw Reborn doing the same.

"Why…is he…inside the mosca?" Tsuna said, trembling.

"Get a hold of yourself, Tsuna!" I yelled, smacking the back of his head once I arrived. I kneeled down beside the 9th and start checking him for any injuries. "Yuki," Reborn said when he arrived with a grave expression.

I frown before saying, "You may already know this, but from what I got from the blueprints, the 9th was probably used as Gola Mosca's power source."

"Power source? W-Why?" Tsuna questioned.

"This is no time to be asking 'Why?'" Xanxus spoke up, "You attacked the 9th."

"I did?"

"This is not good," I said, taking the straps off of the 9th, "the first aid you brought with you, Reborn, won't work on wounds like these. We need to take the 9th to a doctor."

While I was busy continue to search if there are any more injuries on the 9th, Tsuna was almost bought into a meltdown with Xanxus' accusing of Tsuna hurting the 9th. I was about to slap Tsuna out of it, but then I notice the old man's eyes opening.

"No," he whispered weakly, gaining everyone's attention, "It was my fault."

"9th!"

"We're finally able to meet, Tsunayoshi. I'm sorry. All of this happened because of my weakness. My weakness woke Xanxus from his long slumber."

"Slumber? What do you mean?" Reborn asked, "After the cradle affair, Xanxus was cast out of the family and kept under strict surveillance by the Vongola, wasn't he?"

"Cradle affair?" Tsuna asked as I glance at Xanxus. His eyes were narrowed and were filled with flaming hatred as Reborn explain the affair.

"Xanxus was…stopped there, eight years ago…since then, he'd been asleep," the 9th said, gaining my attention, "while his hatred and grudge grew to frightening proportions…"

"What…what do you mean?" Tsuna asked.

"What happened?" Reborn questioned. Before the 9th could reply, he started to cough up blood. I cursed under my breath and try to help him.

"Are you alright? Please hang in there." Tsuna panicked slightly.

"Tsunayoshi…"

"Please take it easy!"

"I've always been hearing news about you…from Reborn…from Eclipse and the Fukei…about the girl you like and…about your school…and your friends… You are a child at heart that…is really mismatched for a mafia boss. I also know that up until now, you have never once fought a battle willingly." The 9th weakly lift up one of his arms and touch his index finger to Tsuna's forehead. "You always have these lines between your eyebrows…clenched your fists as if praying…and all that is why I…chose you to be the 10th boss of the Vongola."

The fingertip glowed lightly before a small Dying Will flame appears. I don't know what the 9th was doing, but it seem like it was affecting Tsuna. His eyes were glazed over like he was recalling a memory. Soon after, tears start streaming down his face. The flame weakens slightly as the 9th spoke.

"I'm sorry…but, I'm glad…it's you." With that, the 9th lost conscious.

"Wait!" Tsuna shouted as he grabbed hold of the Vongola Boss' hand, "No! Please wait! 9th!"

I clench my hands in silent anger as I heard Tsuna's pain stricken shouts.

"How dare you kill the 9th," Xanxus said, interrupting the moment, "the despicable way in which you struck down the 9th boss, is a challenge against his own son, Xanxus as well as the noble Vongola Spirit!"

"What?!" I almost snarled at him. How dare his use the 9th like this! The 9th was always kind to me throughout my life, despite not knowing my true identity. How dare he hurt the 9th like this then blame it all on Tsuna! How dare he hurt the people I CARE FOR!

I could feel my body tensing and my mind filling up with murderous thoughts. My breath was growing heavier as Xanxus continue to talk about how the battle was over and that he was going to kill Tsuna to extract vengeance. It didn't help that Reborn explained how figured that this was his plan from the start and how he would be the next boss and gain majority trust from the family because of the fact that Tsuna 'killed' the 9th. It was all a trap.

I was close to snapping, but held myself together. That was until we found out that apparently the judges were on Xanxus' side as well and will be recording everything that was said. That was it for me. I know that I should have more control of myself, but I could feel my inner beast wanting to burst out and destroy everything that can cause my family to be in danger. I could practically feel the switch inside me turn on.

"YOU WILL DO NO SUCH THING!" I roared animalistic, startling everyone. I was in a crouch on all four of my limbs; mouth drew back into a snarl. I could raw power pulsing off me in waves as I grew fiercer and animalistic. Kill….kill…..must protect family.

"Yuki, calm down," Reborn said sternly. I simply growled back at him.

"Yuki, calm yourself. Remember your promise with me."

It took a few moments, but I manage to calm myself and my anger down. There were no more power pulsing off of me, but I was still growling menacingly.

"Do whatever you want. My patience has run out. But, I will honour my promise to the 9th boss and will not interfere. Nor will Yuki or Eclipse will…with my student's battles, that is. Having said that, I don't know what my student, who hates fighting, will do…"

Tsuna stood up and look at Xanxus with determination burning within his eyes. "Xanxus, I will take that ring back. You will not follow in the 9th boss' footsteps!"

"Well said, Tsuna." Reborn said as I stiffly nod in approval. I had stopped growling moments ago, but it does not mean I am completely calm yet. I'm still a bit peeved at Xanxus.

"I'll carve your name into Vongola's History books, as the foolish runt who dared to defy Xanxus, all by his little self." Xanxus taunted.

"He's not alone!" Gokudera shouted, drawing our attention. Everyone had their weapons out, ready to fight. "The boss' will is our will!"

"My will is my own." Hibari stated as he too got into position, not before glancing at me. I blinked, curiously. I wonder why Hibari glanced at me when he said that. Hibari will probably always be an enigma to me.

The two Varia guys also got ready as Xanxus said, "Exterminate the traitors."

"Hold it right there, please," The judges interrupted before anything can happen, "we will be in charge of the battle for the 9th boss' revenge."

"What?!" Ryouhei shouted.

"We have a duty to oversee the whereabouts of the Vongola rings."

"What are you saying, dogs of Xanxus?!" Gokudera shouted.

"Please watch your mouth. We have an official degree from the 9th boss himself. Any changing-of-hands of the rings will not be approved without our ratification."

"You got some nerve! You forced the 9th boss to give you that Dying Will Flame seal against his will!" Basil shouted while I growled. I notice Hibari glancing at me, but I ignored him for now. My focus now was on those two traitorous judges.

"The winner of the battle will become the next Vongola boss. So…we declare this the Sky Ring battle. In other words, this will be the last of the seven ring contest battles held over the past weeks. How does that sound, Master Xanxus?" I simple just growled at them.

"Not a bad idea."

"Then, tomorrow night, will everyone please assemble at Nami High?"

"Tsuna is exhausted from training today. This is good news for us." Reborn said.

"Tomorrow will be the final chapter in this happy comedy. Make sure you're up to it." Xanxus said as he flick Tsuna's half-ring back. Next Xanxus used his power to blind the most of us and disappear. I took this moment to take out a small glass bottle with a red liquid inside (A/N: Bottle. Imagine the liquid to be red.). I uncorked the bottle and gently pour it down the 9th boss' mouth while stroking his throat so that he would swallow the liquid.

"9th!" Basil called and I quickly hid the bottle.

"Will he be okay?" He asked as he kneeled down beside.

"He'll be fine," I said, glancing at Reborn, seeing him nod back at me.

"Are we too late?" A voice called. Everyone turn and saw Dino with his subordinates.

"You people, help the 9th and the injured." He ordered them.

Dino's subordinates went to help the injured and check for anymore mines.

"I received news from the CEDEF team and the Fukei…I never thought…it would come to this…are you okay?" Dino asked Reborn.

"The damage we received was too great…But still…" Reborn look up at everyone while I silently left the two and head toward where the others are.

"Are you okay, Hibari?" Yamamoto asked.

"You were surprisingly well behaved," Gokudera commented.

"If these incidents are drawing out that herbivore's power then I can't interfere just yet," was Hibari's reply.

"You want him to get stronger so that you can fight him, right?" I asked as I came up to them.

"Yuki!" Yamamoto called, smiling, "Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine, Yamamoto. Thanks for asking."

"What happened back there?" Gokudera asked suspiciously, "What was with the power that was emitting from you?"

"Nothing you should be worried about," I said calmly. I could tell that the guys didn't believe me and I could practically feel Hibari's eyes drilling into me. They do not need to know anything yet. I'm not even sure if Reborn and they should know. I mean I'm the only one who knows my dark secret, beside the mysterious sender. Just thinking about him got me flaring up again, but I forced myself to calm down before it could get out of control. Noticing that everyone was looking at Tsuna, I turn to observe him as well. He seems to be in his own little world. That was until Reborn kicked him down while saying, "Hey, we're going home."

"Huh?"

"You need to recharge for tomorrow's match."

"Why do you always kick me?" Tsuna complained.

"I felt irritated."

"W-What kind of reason is that?!"

"A very logical," I muttered, chuckling afterwards as everyone laughed at the two. It was good for them to laugh like this. I'm glad that despite encountering many battles, none of them had changed for the worst. It was heart-breaking sometime when you see innocent children like them getting corrupted by the hate and hardship. I'm glad that despite everything they were still the same friends and the same people I first met.

"Anyway, I'm going home now, you guys. Get some sleep, you have a battle tomorrow." I said before walking away. I felt a presence beside me and saw that it was Hibari. I stopped in my track and asked, "Is there anything you need, Hibari."

"Why haven't you shown me your full strength when we fought?" I was expecting that question from him.

"...Because, you'll be dead by now if I did." I said, dead serious, before walking away.

"Beside," I continued, "There's a lot of thing you don't know about me, Hibari. Some important enough that if I tell you, I got to kill you afterwards."