Disclaimer: I do not own KHR.
"Is there anything wrong, Sharon-san?" Tsuna asked as I walked into the marked area.
"There was something I wanted to confirm, but it seems there was nothing to worry about." I replied as I walked to the back wall, standing next to Basil. Turning around I saw several monitors hanging from the ceiling. Each monitor showed a different location of third floor.
"Hm… So your name is Sharon." Shamal said smugly as he shuffled next to me. "It's a lovely name."
"Thank you." I answered as indifferent as possible.
Reborn glanced over to me and I glanced back with a message that he shouldn't interfere. It was for the better if Shamal didn't know about me. The less people know about me, the better. Though I wasn't too sure if my message came through though, communicating like that to people I wasn't close to was kind of tricky.
"Due to the size of this round's battlefield, we have installed video cameras in each classroom." Cervello announced through the speakers. "The monitors at the boundaries of the school building will transmit the battle's progress. At the same time, to prevent interference in the battle, we have installed infrared-triggered lasers between the spectator area and the battlefield."
"So, why are you with those little boys, Sharon-chan?" Shamal asked flirtatious. "I'm sure they are too young for you~"
I couldn't help to chuckle at his last remark. I was sure that I was technically older than him too. "Put your arm around my shoulders and I will throw you through the infrared-lasers." I said as I watched his movements from the corner of my eyes.
His arm halted only a few centimeters above my shoulder, "Iya… another healthy one. But I think I will pass, for now."
An explosion was heard and I looked at the monitors. Smoke was visible on one of the monitors. Gokudera stood there, waiting for something. no he was observing. Immediately multiple knives appeared from the smoke, going right towards the teen. Jumping backwards he evaded them.
"I'd stop using little tricks." Belphegor said after the smoke dispersed. "Do you realize who you're up against?"
"Not even a scratch after Hayato's quick strike…" Shamal commented, suddenly in a serious tone. "The Varia quality lives up to its name. He doesn't have room to relax."
Immediately after Gokudera pulled out lots of dynamite and ignited them, "Triple bomb!" He shouted as he threw them to Belphegor.
"Hm… That's quite a neat technique." I thought.
"Is that Gokudera-dono's new technique!?" Basil asked.
"Amazing! He finally perfected the triple bomb!" Tsuna shouted.
Belphegor stepped backwards and from the side a large gust of wind blew the dynamites away, making it explode outside the building.
"I'm sensitive to wind." Belphegor said. "I'm the Guardian of Storm, after all."
"Shit!"
Immediately after Gokudera threw himself down and multiple thrust of wind blew the windows away.
"That's crazy!" Tsuna shouted. "The random wind! This way he can't use bombs!"
"It's an equal disadvantage for either side." Reborn added.
"I'm not sure about that…" I said as I watched the opponent's movements. "Belphegor is doing something…"
He raised his arm and knives flew towards Gokudera right through the gusts of wind. Gokudera jumped up and went through the window into one of the classrooms. Checking the other monitors I saw him sitting against a wall, one of his legs was cut and was bleeding slightly.
"Shit! What the hell's going on!? Was it a fluke!?"
"A prince won't make any flukes." Belphegor said as he entered the same room. "It's very simple, I read the movement of these strong air currents and place the knife on the path that will reach my target."
To demonstrate it he put one of his knives in the current and before our eyes the knife travelled through the air current towards Gokudera. As a result his cheek was cut.
"Reading the air currents?" Tsuna said in disbelief. "Is that even possible?"
"He's taking advantage of this situation that seems impossible and performing inhuman techniques." Shamal commented. "I hate to admit it, but he's a real genius."
"Three minutes have passed." Cervello announced.
"Knives, hurricanes, currents, pressure, force…" I mumbled under my breath as I stared at the screens. "Something's off…"
"What do you mean, Sharon-dono?" Basil asked.
"What's the matter?" Yamamoto asked.
Feeling the uncomfortable feeling of people looking at me, I looked away from the screen and I saw everyone looking at me. "Eh? Did I say something?" I asked in surprise.
"You said something was off." Basil said.
I blinked a few times at the CEDEF boy, it seems I was starting to create a habit of thinking out loud. But what could I tell? I didn't even know what exactly was off. It just lookedsomething was off. Looking back at the monitors I saw Gokudera dodging another dozen of knives, and again, and again.
"Sharon, tell us what's off." Reborn demanded.
"Well, I'm not too sure about it myself…" I decided to say. "But…"
"But?" Reborn pushed on.
"Belphegor said he was reading the air currents and it's true an object will follow the current if the current is strong enough." I said, never leaving my eyes of the monitors.
"Yes, he demonstrated that." Basil said.
"Then what about in the hallway, just before Gokudera jumped into the room." I continued. "Belphegor managed to cut Gokudera even though the current was going sideways. If we follow his explanation, the knives should have blown away or at least going off course. But they didn't, it went straight to Gokudera. That move was breaking all laws of physics before he explained it. Ah, again."
Another set of knives flew towards Gokudera, but there was no current available to make such a hit.
Gokudera ran outside, it was a good move. He had no chance if he couldn't figure out the weird patterns.
"Then it must be a trick." Reborn concluded.
Another loud explosion and the monitor showed us nothing but smoke.
"Do you think you've managed to hide using the explosion?" We heard Belphegor saying. "I love hide-and-seek~ Shishishi~"
Looking for Gokudera I saw him going into the science room. Searching for him on another monitor I saw him sitting against the wall with his dynamites ready. He was looking at the entrance and out of nowhere knives cut his dynamites in halves.
"Where did those come from!?" Gokudera shouted in surprise.
"Belph– Belph– That Bel person is still in the hallway!" Tsuna shouted, failing to pronounce Varia's Storm Guardian full name.
"How did he do that when he can't see him!?" Basil exclaimed after the brunette.
"Didn't I tell you I love hide-and-seek?" Belphegor chanted. "I'm a prince, I'm not the same as you frauds."
He threw another set of knives and once again they flew right into Gokudera, cutting him badly in several places. His bandages were colouring crimson real fast. The situation was bad.
"Gokudera-kun!" Tsuna shouted in panic.
Seeing the teen injured like that, made me restless. I hated the fact that I was useless in a situation like this and the only thing that I could do for them was giving them first aid. Being supportive was a lot more difficult than I initially thought.
"Damn it! How!?" Gokudera shouted in frustration.
Frustration. It was one of many emotions that blocked one's thinking. Gokudera was too frustrated to think properly.
"Gokudera, calm down!" I shouted, not even knowing whether he could hear me or not.
"Ushishishi~ Did I hit the jackpot already?" Belphegor chanted. "It doesn't say much about your Boss if his Guardian of Storm is like this."
Gokudera stiffened. I couldn't see it clearly, but he was probably thinking. I could only guess Bel's words must have hurt his pride, if he heard them. I had no idea whether he could hear him or not.
"For the finale of this surging attack, I'll make you into a cactus, full of needles." Belphegor said. "Byebye."
He threw like two dozens of knives and like they were drawn to something, they hit a shadow. According to my sensing Gokudera didn't receive any damage, but he was nowhere to be seen.
"Wait, drawn to something…?" I thought. "Magnets? No…, the knives would go into a straight line."
"That… That is…" Basil stammered. "A model of a human body!"
Snapping from my thoughts I looked back at the monitors, at the same time the humanoid figure moved.
"HIEE! It moved!" Tsuna shouted.
"Take a closer look, idiot." Reborn said. "There's something around its neck."
"Of course, thin wires!" I exclaimed at my little revelation. "That explains why those knives were not blown away by the current and how they would fly right at Gokudera."
"Wires!?"
"But how did he attached them on him?" I wondered.
Gokudera stepped back into view and he was holding up the doll with the wire, "This is the secret of your technique." He said with a scowl. "Before the match you patted me on the shoulder, at that time you planted a string invisible to the naked eye. You probably used an anaesthetic to numb my body so I wouldn't feel the weight. Then you threw your knives along that wire, so they would fly right at me as if they were on a rail."
"Before the match Belphegor patted him…?" I thought as I recalled the events. "Ah… I missed it because of Shamal me…"
"You tried hard, that only gets you fifty points." Belphegor said. "If you want to feel good about getting that far, that's fine too, but..."
A gust of wind burst out of the science room, making Gokudera jump back. "In this kind of wind, you still can't do anything. So, what will you do?" Belphegor taunted.
Gokudera took out a handful of dynamite, though they looked a little different than the ones he used before.
"B-Bomb!?" Tsuna exclaimed in surprise. "B-But…"
"Those won't hit me."
"To make it that bombs that can't hit their target will hit, the one who gave up flirting to spend time training him is someone who was once called a genius; that would be me." Shamal suddenly said.
"Eh!?"
"To make bombs that can't hit their target will hit? What does he mean?" I thought as watched the dynamites flying in the air.
Suddenly there were small smoke clouds visible at the ends of the dynamite and like a missile they flew right at Belphegor. He didn't have time to dodge that and with a loud bang the monitor was once clouded with smoke.
"That was amazing!" Yamamoto said.
"Just what in the world was that?" Basil asked.
"Rocket bomb." Shamal said. "That's the technique that Hayato's been working on these past days.
"Direction-changing bombs, hm." Reborn commented.
"Yeah. With the propulsion gunpowder packed inside, it'll change the original trajectory twice." Shamal explained. "Hayato's weakness was his speed. The nature of bombs as a weapon means you have to determine the time of explosion as well as the trajectory required in order to hit the opponent. Because his lack of speed, it was impossible to time that correctly. That's why we increased the mobility of the weapon itself. That guy figured it out after seeing my Trident Mosquito. It requires some technique, but if it'll will change direction twice in mid-flight, it would widen his range of attack. When all is said and done, in a moment of life-and-death, that guy has mastered this skill. His persistence allowed him to achieve this technique."
"Hm… It's quite impressive to master such a technique. Not to mention the calculated aim." I mused after the explanation.
"That's so amazing, Gokudera-kun!"
"So is it over?" Ryohei asked.
"It's not clear, but it was a direct hit. There's no doubt that it did a lot of damage." Basil stated.
Suddenly a maniacally laugh was heard. "Ushishishishi~! Aaahaaa~ It's flowing out~ The royal blood is flowing~"
Belphegor was laughing and he was getting all excited, like he found his favourite toy. Eerie chills went down my spine.
"H-He's laughing!?" Tsuna exclaimed.
"Seems like he snapped." Shamal said.
"It's blood~ It's royal blood~!"
Without any delay Gokudera launched another set of rocket bombs. Belphegor stood still, was he not going to evade them?
"What is he planning?" Yamamoto asked out loud.
"He's waiting…" I said as I looked more closely. "Waiting for the right moment to strike."
"Wha-?"
At that moment Belphegor dashed forward and cut through a few fuses close to him and used the force of the explosion to fly forward, charging directly towards Gokudera.
"He evaded it!" Tsuna exclaimed.
"He didn't simply evade them." Reborn said.
"It was flawless." Yamamoto added.
"That's quite some dexterity." Shamal said.
He threw his knives, but this time the knives changed direction when they hit the current. They missed Gokudera, but only a second later blood was gushing out from several cuts on his face.
"What's going on!? The knives never touched me." Gokudera cried out in confusion.
"Pay attention!" I called out as I saw Belphegor lunging with a knife.
Gokudera flipped something and another explosion was seen. Both of them flew backwards by the blast.
"Tch, why am I even shouting. He can't hear me anyway." I muttered as I was trying to calm my nerves. My body trembled slightly and I didn't know whether it was because of Belphegor's madness or the time limit. Perhaps it was both.
"Aahaaa~ More blood~!"
"The hurricane turbines will detonate in six minutes." Cervello announced.
Gokudera ran away and ran into the library. The camera in the library moved and soon we saw Gokudera sitting behind a bookcase.
"There is only one entrance to the library!" Tsuna exclaimed.
"Gokudera's trying to settle it." Reborn said.
After some knives, Belphegor appeared. At the same moment Gokudera threw his dynamites. Throwing another set of knives, the dynamites were cut once again but not with the knives.
"Argh! The knives didn't touch them!"
"How can it be? It's just like kamaitachi…"
Kamaitachi? It sounded like a demon or something. I didn't study the Japanese mystical creatures, but I did see some pictures in the Japanese literature books when I was sorting out the books Hibari got ready for me at school. Instead of some demon cutting someone, it would be more logical for something thin slicing through the skin…
"Ah!" I called out. "He's still using wires!"
"What!?" Shamal and Reborn said in unison.
"What's the matter, Octopus head!" Ryohei shouted.
"Gokudero-dono, thou cannot stop!" Basil shouted.
"Hurry! You need to run!" Tsuna shouted.
Looking at the monitor I saw Gokudera standing still in the middle of a pathway. "Damn it! He's trapped between all the wires."
"A good observation." A voice suddenly rang out the intercom. It was neither Belphegor's nor Gokudera's and nor the Cervello's. It was too high for Squalo and Leviathan, so Mammon? "It's not that he's not running away, but that he can't run away. You can barely see it on the monitor, but wires have been set all around him. It's a web of razor-sharp wires."
"When? How!?" Tsuna shouted.
"Since when is the communication line open?" I asked at the same time.
"Just now."
Deciding not to wonder about the lines I answered Tsuna's question, "Tsuna, it was those knives all along. Belphegor was using wires before, so it wouldn't be strange if he used them again. Very thin wires can be very sharp, it can even cut through a chunk of meat." I explained. "If the wires were attached to the end of the knives, either the knife cut the target or the wire will when the knife changes course by those winds behind the target. If the winds blows in the target's direction the knife will go that way and the wire will follow, resulting cutting the target."
"That's right. There is another way to use them and that is a set-up." Shamal added. "By throwing the knives at the walls and spreading out the wires, it becomes an invisible web of razor-sharp wires. This is how he cut Hayato's bombs just now. That's why he threw the knives before entering the library. By looking at this and his other tricks focused on redirecting the knives in mid-air, it's apparent that he's no ordinary knife user but an expert on both knives and wires."
The camera moved a little and on the floor there were black trails of gunpowder. At some points there were sparks visible.
"The split powder is acting like a fuse!" Basil stated.
"Hm… When did he do that…" I thought as I heard the explosion. Again the monitor was filled with smoke.
"He saw through the trap!" Tsuna shouted in relief.
"And I'll use your wires to guide these bombs to their destination!" Gokudera said. "This is the Storm Guardian's surging attack."
It wasn't too visible on the monitors because of the smoke, but I could imagine his plan and not much later there was another explosion.
"Now the last strike."
And again an explosion, sensing Belphegor's energy I could tell he was still conscious, but barely. Hence, both of them were on the verge of consciousness. Instead of worrying about their health I was more puzzled how one could survive after that much of blast power without losing a limb or two.
"Only three minutes remaining."
"Gokudera-kun!" Tsuna suddenly shouted.
"Don't stagger with only that much blood loss." Shamal said. "Hurry up and end it, so we can celebrate. Remember to bring Bianchi-chan too. Sharon-chan, you come too. "
"Wha!? How can you say that at a time like this!? You perverted old man…"
"Reborn, am I allowed to throw this guy through the infra-red lasers?" I asked the hitman. If there was something that would get on my nerves quickly, it would be men like Shamal.
"Do as you wish." He said without much emotion.
Suddenly Belphegor's voice rang out, "Ah… Haa... Victory is mine!"
Looking back at the monitors I saw most of the smoke was dispersed. Belphegor was gripping Gokudera's chain with the half-ring. "Don't tell me he let his guard down!?" I blurted out in shock.
"It seems so." Reborn replied.
"So the reason why Gokudera lost this battle was that he let down his guard…" I thought as I watched the two boys rolling over punching each other, it had become a fight of fists.
"My ring… my ring…" Belphegor chanted.
"But the opponent has no strength to fight anymore." Basil said.
"The same for Gokudera." I said.
Suddenly a loud explosion was heard and one of the monitors lost video feed.
"As mentioned before, it's been fifteen minutes since the match started. The hurricane turbines have started to explode one by one." Cervello announced. "There is approximately one minute remaining until the library explodes. Of course, the audience area will not be affected."
"No… No way! Then Gokudera-kun will…!"
"Die together with his opponent."
"What the heck are you doing, Octopus Head!? Hurry up!"
"Shut up! I'm doing it! GWAH!"
"This is bad… Hayato's condition is getting worse by the second. It will be bad if this continues."
"Fifteen seconds have passed." Cervello announced.
"A chicken race? Isn't that interesting?" Squalo's voice rang through the intercom.
"Tsuna, what are you going to do?" Reborn asked.
"You're asking me what to do!?"
"It can't be helped." Shamal said. "Hand the ring to your opponent and hurry back, Hayato! It's not worthy sacrificing your life over such a thing! Hurry up and come back!"
"Stop joking around! How can I lose!? We won't have any room for retreat after one win and three losses! This will be the fatal loss!"
"Your opponent has gone mad! This match is meaningless now! Just come back!"
"How can I go back empty-handed!? If I go back like this, I'm not qualified to be Tenth's right hand!"
"That guy…" I muttered.
This was exactly what I feared, this was why I had to confirm his thoughts before the match. This was the sole reason I made him make that promise, the promise to come back alive.
"Gokudera-kun, you were thinking of such a thing!?" Tsuna called out.
"Tenth, if I win we can turn this situation around! Leave it to me!"
"Such a small thing…!" Tsuna shouted.
The other boys were shouting for him to come back. "Twenty seconds remaining until the explosions reach the library."
"Hayato! Did you forget everything I told you before the training!?"
"I won't go back even if it cost me my life!"
"Are you fucking mad, Gokudera!?" I shouted with anger. "You're willing to die over a ring!? You promised you would come back alive, you damn bastard!"
"It's my life, woman! Don't interfere!"
"You–!"
"Quit messing around!" Tsuna shouted angrily. "What do you think we're battling for!? It's for us to have snowball fights and watch fireworks again! That's why we're battling! That's why we have to become stronger! I want to laugh with everyone once again, but what meaning will it have if you die!?"
The last turbine exploded, leaving us with static on the monitors. I gasped, but immediately I started to look for the bomber's life force.
"GOKUDERA-KUN!" Tsuna shouted in despair as he fell on his knees. "N-No way… Impossible…How could this happen…? Why… Gokudera-kun…?
Looking at the brunette I saw tears in his eyes. The others looked down with grave expression, it was a terrible sight.
Sensing the bomber's movement I walked toward the infra-red protected gate, checking its status. Finding out it was disabled I walked out the audience arena, towards the bomber's location. The hallway was still covered in smoke, but I knew his location. I didn't like his attitude, but leaving him to die of blood loss was not on the menu.
"W-Where are you going, Sharon-san?" Tsuna called out from behind me.
"To give first aid to that damn bastard that gave us a heart attack." I replied curtly. I haven't forgiven him yet for almost throwing his life away so easily.
"Eh?"
"Look over there." I heard Reborn say.
A limping figure appeared out of the smoke and fell face down only half a meter in front of me. Kneeling down I checked his pulse, "He cried, you know." I said as I counted his heartbeat. "You really gave us a scare there."
"Leave me alone." He grunted.
"Never. Can you sit up?"
The three boys ran towards us, shouting their versions of the bomber's name.
"I apologize, Tenth… The ring was taken." Gokudera muttered out painfully as I helped him to sit up. "But I came back because I wanted to watch fireworks together…"
"Gokudera-kun… I'm glad…" Tsuna said as he kneeled down. "I'm really glad!"
"Wha!? But I lost!"
"Thank you, Gokudera-kun…"
"Please don't say that. Those words are more than I deserve!"
"Easy, you lost too much blood to keep your balance. Hey, what are you doing?"
Gokudera stood up and grabbed Yamamoto by his collar, "Yamamoto!" He grunted. "I'll leave… the rest to you."
"Hm?" Yamamoto mused.
"Well, I don't want you to do a favour for me. It's only because there's no one left except you." Gokudera said angrily, but slightly embarrassed.
"Ha, I understand." Yamamoto said with his cheerful smile.
Gokudera wavered on his feet and almost fell down again. Catching the guy I carefully put him down, "That's why I told you to take it easy." I muttered out after a sigh. Taking out a small flashlight out of my kit I checked his pupils, they were constricting and dilating just fine.
"Because the Ring of Storm was obtained by Belphegor, he is the winner of this match." Cervello announced. Glancing at the voices I saw Varia behind standing behind them. The robot was carrying Belphegor under its arm, I still didn't catch its name.
"VOOII! What a laughable ending!" Squalo shouted. "Your lives are hanging by a hair!"
"And your Mist and Cloud Guardians have yet to appear." Mammon said. "Unless that woman is one of them, but her ring looks a little different."
Looking down I saw my friendship ring dangling in plain sight.
"Eh!? But I thought Sharon-san isn't a Guardian?" I heard Tsuna saying.
"I'm not." I answered, raising my voice a little so the Varia members could hear it too. "Please don't confuse an accessory like this with those rings. I'm just here to apply first aid."
"Hmf, then I hope it doesn't end in a default win for us because you don't have any participants for the next match."
"Then, we will announce the next battle." Cervello announced.
"What should we do, Reborn!?" Tsuna shouted at Reborn. "What if it's the match of Mist or Cloud…"
"Don't worry, they will be assembled together in no time." Reborn said.
Very true. I sensed Hibari already in the building without Valentino. In other words, that guy lost sight of his pupil… But for such a short time I could tell Hibari improved by a lot. Just how in the world did he trained him. As for the Mist, I had the feeling we were being watched since the first battle, but I didn't sense anyone that would fit the profile. Did Mukuro know how to hide his total presence? Wait, it was Chrome. So did she something? Or maybe both of them? I had never really understood their relationship.
"Ouch. Watch what you're doing, woman!" Gokudera grunted.
"Bear with it. I have to put some pressure on it if we want to stop the bleeding." I said as I put a clean cloth on his abdominal area after cutting this old bandages. It was the largest wound and blood was still seeping out. I was surprised he was still consciousness.
"Tomorrow's match is the match between the Guardians of Rain." Cervello announced.
"I've been waiting for this moment for a long time. I can finally cut you up!" Squalo said in his usual loud volume. "Don't run away with your tail between your legs because of the power I showed you last time, Sword kid."
"Hahaha. Don't worry." Yamamoto replied. "I will be too excited to fall asleep."
"Brat…"
"I apologize for the interruption!" A new voice rang out. "Captain Levi, an intruder has entered the premises. The lightning squads are being defeated one by one!"
"That bastard! Who could it be!?" Levi spoke up angrily.
"I look forward to see what kind of fly flew in." Mammon said.
"VOI!"
"What… What happened?" Tsuna asked.
"Someone is heading this way…" Basil said.
"Aah… Crap…"I muttered in English. "Why must he be back now…"
"What the hell are you muttering about?" Gokudera asked briskly. "Who's back?"
"Hibari is."
"…"
"Hibari-san!" I heard Tsuna shouting. "Hibari-san really came to participate in the battle for the rings… The strongest guy, Hibari-san!"
"Because of the illegal intrusion and destruction of various school buildings, I will bite everyone here to death under collective responsibility."
"Geez, that guy's love for the school is inhumanly." I muttered to myself. "Don't move, the pressure will lessen if you move around."
"Hm… You know your stuff, Sharon-chan~" I heard from behind.
"I've learnt some stuff. Why are you not aiding him. You're a doctor, right?"
"I don't treat men. But I can check your hands, they look painful with those bandages. I will treat you even with some little extra~"
Before I could say something else an angry shout was heard, "Move Cervello! He's only an illegal intruder!"
Glancing at the commotion I saw Leviathan charging with his electricity-covered parabola. In a swift motion Hibari evaded the attack and made the robust man trip, "Should I bite you to death first?"
I whistled quietly at the sight, it was a nice move. It corresponded with a movement of evading a whip.
"That idiot just start causing trouble the second he shows up." Gokudera grunted.
"Amazing! He easily evaded a Varia's attack!" Tsuna exclaimed.
"He's good. Who is he?" Basil asked.
"He's the guardian of the Ring of Cloud and Namimori's Disciplinary Committee chairman, Hibari Kyoya." Reborn said.
"If he's Cloud, that means Gola Mosca is his opponent." Mammon said.
"Hm… Gola Mosca, huh?" I thought as I was still putting pressure on the teen's wound.
"Mammon, what do you think of that kid?" Squalo asked.
"Even though Levi is Varia member, he is clumsy and problematic. But that aside, he is still pretty skilled."
"Bastard." Leviathan grunted.
"So you're skilled after all," Squalo commented. "but to a swordsman like me, you looked like you were in slow motion. Voi! How many pieces do you want to be cut into!?"
"Hm. Are you next?" Kyoya asked calmly.
"Please stop." Cervello said to interrupt them. "A fight between guardians outside of a regulated match would result in a disqualification for both participants."
"What!?" Ryohei shouted.
"Not good! We need to do something!" Tsuna shouted in panic. "Ah, Yamamoto!"
"Yamamoto?" Looking at the commotion I saw Yamamoto walking over to Hibari.
"Maa, maa. Calm down, Hibari." He said. "I can understand why you're upset."
"You're in the way." The raven haired teen said. "Don't stand in front of me."
Without any hesitation he swung his tonfa and with a crossover sidestep Yamamoto evaded the attack and even managed to hold on the tonfa, stopping Hibari in his tracks. Widening my eyes a little at the movement I felt something tingle inside me. Waving it off I resumed tending Gokudera's wound.
"That long-haired guy is my opponent. So please tolerate it." I heard Yamamoto say.
"That annoying move…" Hibari said moodly. "And anyone who interferes will be bitten to death."
Annoying move…? He didn't refer to my sidestep, did he? I didn't know and I didn't want to know.
"This is bad!" Yamamoto said, panicking a little. "I provoked him…!"
"HIEE! Hibari-san! Please stop!"
"Ciaossu, Hibari."
"Infant? Sorry, but I'm busy now."
"While going out of control here is fine, too, but you might miss out on something even more fun.
"Fun?" He asked after a small pause.
"Even though it won't be right away, if you tolerate it for now and take part in the matches, in the near future you may have the chance to fight Rokudo Mukuro again."
"Hn, really?" Hibari said. I could hear some amusement in his voice. Wondering why I glanced back again and there I saw him facing the Cervello. "Will all the damage to the school be repaired?" He asked.
"Yes. We, the Cervello, will take full responsibility." She answered.
"Is that so…? Then I change my mind." Hibari said as he turned around. "Don't lose to that one before my battle."
"Eh?" Yamamoto said.
"Later."
"That Hibari-san actually stopped fighting." Tsuna said in disbelief.
"From that we can see how great he considers the humiliation he suffered at the hands of Mukuro." Reborn said.
"Right… I remember something like that…" I thought as I recalled a piece of memory .
"Speaking of that, are you sure it's okay to make a promise like that!?"
"Who knows."
"Who knows!?"
"VOOOI, sword kid! Where did you learn that move!?" Squalo shouted as the rest of the Varia members left the scene through the window. "Not bad! Now your chance of winning has increased from zero percent to zero percent! Tomorrow will be your last, be prepared!"
And with that Squalo followed his colleagues, "Ah! They left!" Tsuna called out.
"Geez… and I was wondering what would happen when Hibari showed up and started rampaging." Gokudera said.
"Tell me about it." I added. "Say Reborn, you never told me how you convinced Hibari to accept my employment in this school."
"Hmf, I have my ways." Reborn said in his smug way. "So what do you think, Sharon. Did Hibari become stronger?"
"His movements are smoother than the last time I saw him. I could see various movements to evade and counter fast opponents." I replied. "I can't tell you by how much he improved after seeing so little, though."
"But will a guy like him join us? He hates crowds." Gokudera asked.
"Well… That's a problem too…" Tsuna replied worriedly. "Speaking of that, how are your wounds Gokudera-kun!?"
"It's only a couple of scratches." Gokudera replied.
"Scratches my ass." I retorted. "I managed to stop the bleeding of his largest wound, but he still needs to see a professional doctor, right doctor Shamal?"
"I don't examine guys." He said as he turned around. "Bye~"
"Tch, and he calls himself a doctor." I muttered as I took out a bottle of water and another piece of clothes. Opening the bottle I started to clean the blood away.
"It can't be helped. Romario, help Sharon out with the first aid." Another voice rang out.
"This voice…" Tsuna said. "Dino-san!"
"Yo. Looks like we just missed Varia." The blonde mafia boss greeted them. "Kyoya still hasn't showed up, has he?"
"V–Dino, you lost your student on your way, didn't you?" I asked, still wiping away the blood on Gokudera's body.
"Sharon!? Why would you say something like that?" He asked, slightly startled by my question.
"Hibari came a few minutes ago." Reborn said. "Don't worry, he didn't create much trouble before leaving."
"I… I see…"
"Hm… let's see how the young man's doing." Romario said as he kneeled down beside me.
"His pulse is high and he lost quite some blood, he may require a blood transfusion." I reported as I heard Dino explaining his road trip. "His pupils were equal, round and reactive to light, his hearing is fine and so is his speech. For now I stopped the bleeding of his largest cut."
"I see. Gokudera, what is your blood type?"
"B."
"All right, I'll bring you to the hospital. Sharon, will you accompany me?"
"Of course."
"If you want to say something, then say it. Don't glare at me like that." I said, slightly vexed.
"Who are you? State your purpose." Gokudera said in a low voice. "You're not just someone who travelled to Japan to look for your family member like the Tenth claimed, are you?"
I was in Gokudera's hospital room, keeping an eye on him as Romario went back to Namimori Middle to pick up his boss and the others. His injuries were nothing too major, but he did need a blood transfusion due the blood loss. The doctor said he had to stay the night and was able to go home in the afternoon if everything was fine.
"And you've been glaring at me for thirty minutes because of that?" I said as I resumed reading the news on my phone.
He didn't reply so I glanced over him and saw that he still had scowl on his face, "Your face will stuck like that if you keep the same facial expression." I said as I tapped on another article. "But it's true that I came to Japan to look for my aunt. Only things got a bit… sideways after that. I don't know what Tsuna or Reborn told you, but I mean no harm if you don't mean harm."
"And you believe I'd believe your words?"
"Well, you are free to believe in whatever you want."
"You didn't tell why you're here."
"My aunt ordered me to look after Decimo's Family."
"What!? Then you're an enemy! Ouch…"
"You shouldn't move so much, your wound could reopen." I said as I looked at the bomber. "Anyway, you may ace every test and outsmarted Belphegor, but you're not too smart when it comes to people, are you?"
"Wha–?"
"Think about it, do you really think Reborn would allow some random person stay with you guys and even give first aid to Tsuna's Guardians?"
"Then what? You're with the Vongola?"
Letting out a small sigh of dejectness I answered him with a yes.
"Gokudera-kun! Sharon-san!" Tsuna's voice rang out as the door opened roughly. "Gokudera-kun, how are your injuries?"
"Yo, Gokudera!" Yamamoto followed.
"How are you doing, Octopus head!"
"Guys, quiet. This is a hospital." Dino said after them.
"It was just scratches. Don't worry about it, Tenth!" Gokudera answered Tsuna question.
"Is that true, Sharon-san?"
"Hm? Yeah, most of his injuries are just minor cuts. But he still needs to stay still. If everything is fine, he can go home the next day." I answered, though I wondered why the brunette would ask me for the confirmation.
"Thank goodness."
The boys chatted some, or more like bantering between Gokudera and Yamamoto and Ryohei, till Reborn sent them home with Romario. It was getting late after all. Tsuna, Reborn, Basil, Dino and I were the only ones left. After checking my email for the last time I stood up, stretching myself. "I'm going back too. I have to look after the kids in the morning."
"Wait, you haven't told the whole story." Gokudera said.
"There is no need for you to know, not with the Conflict going on." I replied as I took my purse. "You better sleep tight."
"Wait, Sharon-san." Tsuna called out. "What is going on? What did you tell Gokudera-kun."
"I told him that my aunt told me to watch over you guys, therefore he thought I was an enemy and after some more reasoning we concluded that I was part of the Vongola. That's all."
"Reborn-san, is that true?" Gokudera asked.
"Yes, Rei did tell her to watch over Tsuna's Family." Reborn replied.
"Rei as in Rei Walker!?" The bomber exclaimed. "Ouch…"
I stiffened at his exclamation. That got my attention. I knew the Walkers' reputation were rather high, but if Gokudera misunderstood it may end nasty.
"Neither she nor her brother have any children, so she cannot be Rei Walker's niece!" Gokudera stated. "In other words, you're lying, woman."
"Well, good to know that their lives are open for public." I said as I turned around to face him. "For your information, they and I are not related by blood. She and her brother have raised me and they have taught me various things to defend myself. It was only a week ago that I have known about their dark secret and thus about mine, which is the Vongola. I had absolutely no idea they work for the mafia."
"Who's Rei Walker? And who's her brother?" Tsuna asked, visibly confused.
"Rei Walker is a skilled midrange to long distance gun user." Reborn said. "She is able to use various types of gun with ease and she hits her targets with a deadly precision. She's also nicknamed Hawkeye. Her brother, Ivan Walker, is a master in multiple martial arts. He is able to analyse calmly and act accordingly in any situations and it's said he uses only a few moves one after the other to disable his opponents without them even knowing. He's also nicknamed the Silent Cracker."
"HIEE! Sharon-san grew up with those dangerous people!?" Tsuna shouted in horror. Just looking at his face I could tell he was imagining some horror scenes.
"Tsuna, they were good to me, except when they were training me…, but other than that, they were fine guardians." I said trying to reassure him. Why did Reborn have to describe them like that, though this was the first time I actually heard about their reputation.
"So why were two talented Mafiosi looking after a child?" Gokudera asked, doubt was clearly visible on his face.
"Because it was an order from her father." Reborn answered.
"Her father?"
"I was told the Walkers were my father's most trusted subordinates." I said. "He didn't want me to grow up as a Mafioso and therefore he hid me from the mafia with the Walkers as my guards and foster parents. But even with me in hiding, it seemed enemies were still able to find me which leaded to several… accidents."
"Sharon-san, what do you mean by accidents?" Tsuna asked.
Dino gave the brunette a meaningful look and Tsuna looked down regrettably. It seemed he understood the look the Cavallone boss gave him. Before I could say anything, Basil broke the small silence. "Assassinations, am I right, Sharon-dono." He said.
"…Yes, Basil." I said. "It seemed I was targeted because I'm the only child father has."
"But who's your father, Sharon-san? Was he that important that others went after him?"
"Tsuna. I think you should stop." Dino said to the brunette.
"Eh?"
"It's fine, Dino. I wanted to tell them anyway, but it seems it's earlier than I anticipated." I said as I looked outside the window.
"But you haven't told Roberto and the others, right…?"
"I haven't, and I'm not sure whether I should tell them or not." I said with a sad smile. "Anyway, about my father… I was told he was the next in line in… a quite powerful mafia Famiglia. Because of that he had lots of enemies."
"…"
Silence filled the room and I didn't look at anyone. Even though I said I would tell them, I just couldn't. I didn't have the courage to do so. "How can you be so calm, Sharon-san?" Tsuna asked after a while.
"Oh believe me, Tsuna. I have my share of breakdowns and I still have them." I said with a small chuckle. Putting both of my arms in the air I stretched myself, "Aa~haa~ and there goes my little secret. Anyway, don't worry about me. I can handle myself." I said light-heartedly.
Turning around I opened the door, "Anyway I'm going now. Tsuna focus on your training and Gokudera, sleep tight. Reborn, Basil, I wish you a good night. And Dino… could you bring me home?"
[===]
"I thought you were going to tell them?" The blonde Italian said as we walked out the hospital.
"I wanted to... But failed miserably." I replied. "Haa… My guts abandoned me on the very last second, but it's still the truth. The Vongola is quite a powerful Famiglia."
"That's true, so what are you going to do?"
"I guess I'll just support them. I mean, there is not much I can do now, right? The only thing I can do now is giving them first aid after the battle, hear out their problems and give advice or something?"
"It sounds like you're back in your class rep mode. Always looking after your classmates."
"Well, the experience comes in handy. Is this your car?"
We stopped at a red Ferarri and Dino took out a small remote control, "Yeah, what do you think?" He asked proudly.
"It's very neat." I said. "But not really my cup of tea."
See his face falling I quickly apologized, "Ah, I'm sorry, Dino! I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, it's just… well… I've seen enough expensive things and I'm kinda sick of it… and… agh! This doesn't help, does it?"
"Heh, you're really an odd one." He chuckled. "You're the first girl I met who ever said being sick of expensive things. Don't you girls like diamonds and expensive stuff?"
"Well… diamonds are pretty and in my opinion it's more fun to look at them and to fantasize owning them instead of actually owning them."
"Hm…" He said amusingly as he unlocked the car.
Before he opened the driver's door I remembered Romario wasn't with us, "D-D-Dino! Wait, wait!"
"What's the matter, Sharon?" He asked as he looked at me.
"I'll drive!" I answered a bit too quickly. I didn't want to take any chances without Romario around, I mean, Dino is a klutz without his men around. "I have my driver's license!"
"Eh?"
Before he could say anything else I slipped past the blonde and opened the door to sit in the driver seat, "Safe!" I thought as I adjusted the seat and the mirrors. Sitting comfortably I took in the interior, "Damn, a quality car is a quality car." I thought as I saw the fancy leather interior.
Looking at the panels I started to pale, there were so many buttons I'd never seen before and there was no gear stick. I figured it would be an automatic, but I never thought of the absence of the gear stick. Instead the only things I saw were an R-button, an AUTO-button and a START ENGINE-button.
"Hey, Sharon. What's going on?" Dino asked as he sat in the passenger seat. "What's wrong with me driving?"
"Everything." I replied without hesitation.
"You hurt my feelings, you know…" He said with a little pout.
"Man up, Valentino. Sometimes it's better to let the woman drive." I said, trying not to give in his facial expression. "Say, did you bring another car or something? I mean Romario is bringing Takeshi-kun and Sasagawa-kun home, right?"
"Yeah, another subordinate came with us in another car. Usually Romario rides with me in this one. And how many times do I have to tell you not to call me that!"
"He drives or you?" I asked, ignoring his little protest.
"Usually he is, why?"
"I knew it… Even Romario doesn't trust his boss' driving"
"Just wondering. Say, does this car drive by just pressing the gas pedal?"
"Yeah."
Pressing the obvious START ENGINE button on the steering wheel and the R-button I gently pressed the gas pedal and the car drove backwards, turning the wheel I positioned the car how I wanted it and pressed again the R-button, getting it out of reverse. With that I drove back to my hotel, thank goodness the basic functions were still the basics.
A/N: Never let Dino drive without Romario or one of his subordinates... Just the thought alone scares me... Anyway, got back my test results and I failed two of them... So I have to retake them in August D: Oh well, it wasn't like I didn't see it coming -curse you physics!-
Review replies
Evanescentfacade: Well, I'm glad to be back! Missed the writing.
Allykrau: I hope you got some sleep lol! Thank you for reviewing as always ^^
AkaMizu-chan: Thank you very much! I won't say anything about the future chapters, so I have to leave you in the dark for now lol! But you're the first one to say SharonxJames, which is an interesting combination too :3
KiraLoveless: At least the suicidal silver headed bomber listens to his beloved boss u.u Thank you for reviewing as always! As for weak women in the series, I don't like that! Dx Screw the sexists, women will rule the Mafia world muwhahaha! -ehem- Anyway, I do not plan to leave the girls weak :3 They deserve some spotlight too.