Holy Shit!
this chapter is DONE! FINALLY!
Oh my god... you have no idea how happy I am to have you guys read this one. Like... I put soo much into this chapter. With that said, this chapter is long. Be prepared lol. But I think you will enjoy it, then again, this is one of the most important chapters to the story.
I think it really shows how much she has... blossomed.
Yeah, I like that word.
Protocol.
word count: 11,039
[I do not own any KHR characters]
I take claim of all OCs
Thank the awesome woman Ausumist for her beta-ing.
Read "Bite of the Mafia" it's awesome
Enjoy it Kids .Captain.
Yellow leaves blow across the street as Tsuna and I walk to school. Still having a little ways to go, I keep a calm disposition on the outside to hide my sleepy excitement within. I pull my phone out of my skirt pocket and check the text again. Five hours! Nau will be here in less than five hours. A grin cracks through and I feel no need to hide it. Tsuna looks to me curiously, as if he considers asking me why I'm smiling, but he looks away. I let out a small snort and keep with his slow pace as Reborn marches next to us down the quiet road.
As we walk through the front gate of the school, I can't help but find it extremely odd that the buildings look as if nothing has happened. Tsuna wonders the same thing and Reborn points out a bunch of random people posted up against the fences of the school. He tells us that they are illusionists for the Cervello and that they are hiding the damages that couldn't be fixed within the amount of time they had. I just let my eyes scan at the five or six suspicious-looking people before asking:
"Do I really have to come to school Reborn? Ganauche is going to be here soon and I want to meet him at the airport."
"He has things to do. Go to class."
Before I can even try to argue with him, his lizard Leon shape-shifts into a jet pack. Reborn blasts straight into an open window on the second floor. That's weird. What's in that room? Tsuna is saying something to me, and I nod and say, "uh-huh," without even paying attention. Just as I spare him one glance he walks off from me. I just shrug my shoulders. I'm trying to think of what's in that room.
"That's the nurse's office." I look at my feet and scratch my head. "I wonder what he's doing visiting Shamal?"
Though my curiosity is on high for the answer, I look at my phone and see that class will be starting in a little bit. Should I go and see? I shake my head and start heading for the entrance. Who knows what Reborn will do to me if I'm late; he's so quick to anger today. I think he's still pissed about the cloud battle. Let's not forget that I also have all that supplemental homework to do. He might try and shoot me if it's not finished by tonight. I'll just head to class; knife wounds are more than enough for me this week.
Sitting in class, now I twiddle my pen between my fingers while looking over all my supplemental work that I had forgotten about until this morning. It's sitting right next to all my new supplemental work. I keep working through the first packet that I only have a few pages left to do while half listening to everyone in my class talk about the teacher. It isn't until I hear one kid mention 'suicide' that I become interested.
I look over to some chubby guy with freckles talking. "Yeah, my dad read in the newspaper that our Sensei committed suicide, but when my mom called up here to ask about it, they said that they only know about him filling a resignation."
Then I see Hana ask, "Well if that's the case then who's going to teach our class?"
Shit, I'm wondering that too. I'm also slightly impressed with the kid who said his dad reads the newspaper. I mean, they say you have to be really freaking smart to read the paper. Well not necessarily smart, but you have to know a lot of kanji to read it. I wonder if I could read the paper?
I look back to ask Yamamoto what he thinks, but he's passed out on his desk. He looks completely blissed out. I laugh at the little bit of drool dripping out of his mouth. My eyes inspect his peaceful, dreamy state. I wonder how he's doing now? He was really upset after his match with Squalo… Is Squalo okay?
Of course he is—he's dead.
I look over to see that Gokudera, Tsuna, Kyoko, and the supposed 'Margaret' have not come to the class yet. Looking around the classroom more, I hear the door open and watch Tsuna and Kyoko walk in together. Whoa, I guess Tsuna was talking to her alone? That's cool. Maybe he'll get a girlfriend. He has been emitting cool vibes lately.
The bell rings and class starts. No teacher. No Gokudera. No Margaret. The class sits around in silence. We are all anticipating this new teacher now. I hear snore sounds behind me—Yamamoto obviously isn't too concerned. Everyone in the class laughs at him, but stops to the door opening again. Some chick in a baggy uniform. We all look away from the door, unimpressed.
Wait, why am I so curious?
I'm leaving school in a couple hours, and am hardly ever here. My mind ponders the thought more while everyone in class starts chatting and passing the time. I guess I really want to see that old guy walk through the door and let everyone down. That would be freaking hilarious. I might point and laugh at the chubby liar.
The door slides open, "Class 2-A?"
I mutter, "You've got to be fucking kidding me."
The girl who I know as the person who punched me in the face walks into the room and introduces herself as the new teacher. Black hair lies against her dark, tanned skin. She's a sore thumb in this sea of Asians. The only thing they have in common is the height. I look at Tsuna, who is wearing an incredulous look and pointing to her. He's babbling something. The whispers about the short girl who is talking and being cheery to the class are all stopped when the door opens again. Gokudera has arrived.
She tries to say something to him about being tardy, but after one of those glares he likes to give people she stops with a blank look on her face. He sits in his chair quietly and she lets out a small chuckle before continuing, telling us that the teacher we used to have has resigned after some unforeseen circumstances.
"Suicide… I knew it." The chubby kid whispers out loudly.
TAK!
The kid holds his cheek as Dee speaks, "Can you be quiet while I'm talking? Thanks."
She then looks my way and signals me to move with a small wave. I scoot slightly and watch something flick out of her hand. I hear a gasp. I look back to Yamamoto. Awake, disoriented, and rubbing his head. I look down to see she is throwing little pieces of chalk.
"Hey you. Stay awake. I can throw bigger objects."
From here class goes and goes, and eventually the supposed Margaret shows up saying that she doesn't know when first period starts after a series of apologies. How do you not know that school starts at seven? She sits and class continues as Dee (formally known as Ms. Martinez) continues teaching the fundamentals of English. I check behind me to see Yamamoto trying to stay awake but not doing a very good job. He has a serious case of the nods. I whisper for him to get in some position that he can sleep, and I'll hide him. He grins and immediately put his chin in the palm of his hand while I angle myself to hide him. Yamamoto is nice, so I don't mind.
While the new teacher talks, I stay in position and slightly listen while doing my supplemental work. I don't know how to speak English, so this might come in handy. It's just unfortunate that she obviously has no idea what she is doing up there. Rather, it seems as if she's just winging it up there. Well it is Friday; it's not like anyone is really going to pay attention to the new teacher on the last day of the school week either. I snort and get started on the second packet with my lovely professor Wikipedia.
Eventually we hit eleven AM and are dismissed for lunch. I sigh, thankful that it's time for me to leave. Tsuna, Gokudera, and Yamamoto all wander out of the class first. Yamamoto looks refreshed, sparing me a grin and a wave before leaving. After giving him a small wave back, I watch some girl steal someone's bento. I'm so impressed with how quickly it happened, that I couldn't even say anything as the kid who got their bento stolen looked around frantically for it. After watching Dee pull a lunch out and leave with Margaret, I decide to leave for the airport. But I have also decided that I need to probably start staying in school for the whole day. I'm missing out on interesting things.
Sitting in a train that is currently heading for the airport, I check Google Maps on my phone to make sure I'm going the right way. After getting that text from Ganauche last night, I did a little research on flights from Chicago to Tokyo and how to look for train info on my phone. I felt like an idiot after realizing how simple it is to use the train.
Damn, Reborn might be right.
While the people crowd out of the door and then more people crowd inside I glance around and sometimes catch stares. I quickly glance away. I don't want to be that rude person that stares at people. But as much as I don't want to stare at people, I really don't want to get lost in my thoughts either. They linger only on Xanxus, Grandpa, and the past. I don't want to think about any of that crap right now.
My gaze shifts to the left to look at the beautiful day outside the train. Bright blue sky; thick, billowy clouds that seem closer to the ground than usual; light, wispy clouds that snake way up high; and strong winds that are only noticeable by the shaking trees. It's a good day, but I feel like crap. I'm hoping this feeling will fade when I see Nau.
The train stops and my phone vibrates as my signal.
This is my stop.
I shuffle my way out of the train with the other hundred and one people that are trying to exit at the same time as I am. The air is smashed out of my lungs. It isn't until I finally exit and get a few feet away from the metal doors that my lungs are able to inflate again. "Damn, screw taking the train home. I really hope Nau rents a car."
With Google telling me that the airport is only a short walk away, and my clock telling me that he is about to land, I run. I start running in my excitement to see him. I run to keep my mind off the negative thoughts. I run to keep my mind off how fatigued I'm feeling from three hours of sleep and no food. I just run. It's making my stomach feel sick while I stand at the crosswalk and type out a quick text to Ganauche, waiting for the okay to run across. I get the okay to cross, but can't run with all the people trying to cross with me and cross against me. It's like a miniature war just to make it to the other side.
No running allowed in this war.
But I make it to the other side, and I can see the airport while running next to the skyscrapers all around. My phone buzzes to Nau's text that he is getting off the plane. I smile and run harder. My legs are still tired from running this morning, but I don't care. Two blocks away.
My feet race forward, and my hand moves in front of me to signal the automatic door when I get a phone call. I grin to see Nau's name on the screen.
I answer in Italian. "Hello? Where are you?"
"I'm about to walk to where the private cars are. Why?"
"I'm at the airport looking for you."
He sounds annoyed. "Why the hell did you come all the way to Tokyo?"
I mumble, "To see you?"
"Do you know where you're at?"
"Uhh…" I look around. "Not really."
He sighs. "Stay there and I'll find you."
I stay on the phone with him as I tell him about all the stuff around me. I eventually ask some girl where I am and have her get on the phone with Nau to give directions to our location. Twenty minutes of standing in one place, and I see him. It's not hard since he easily towers over Japanese people. At 195 cm, his scruffy chin and light brown hair in the front are easy to catch. Those deep blue eyes stick out like a sore thumb in Japan too. It makes me smile as I thank the girl who helped us.
She's too busy staring at my brother to notice.
I take my phone from her and lightly jog over to him while a smirk breaks through his irritated look. He looks as if he's expecting a hug, but he's thinking wrong. I smack his chest as hard as I can while yelling at him in Italian. "OVER TWO WEEKS AND NO RESPONSE UNTIL LAST NIGHT?"
He grabs the hand that I hit him with. "Hey. Chill out. You're causing a scene since no one can understand you."
"Chill out?" My voice is already cracking. "I-I I've been freaking worried about you, you asshole."
I try to smack him again, but smiles as he grabs my arm and calmly responds, "Hey we're in public. And I thought I told you that you have an ugly crying face." I look up to him with blurry eyes, and feel him let go of one of my hands to smash my face in his chest. "Don't cry a bunch. This is a new suit."
I laugh. "You're a fucking jerk."
"You're not the first woman to tell me this." I can hear the smile in his tone.
I laugh some more and feel my hand wrap around him.
He waits until I stop crying to lead us over to where he has a car waiting for him. We get inside the back of the Mercedes and head to where ever Nau has to go. During the ride I didn't really notice it but I naturally scooted myself closer and closer to him until Nau gave me a weird stare. I would scoot away.
This kept happening until he finally hugged me. "There. You happy."
I smile. "Yeah."
He smugly rolls his eyes and snorts.
"Don't act like you didn't want to hug me."
He responds in a feisty tone. "I didn't."
I smack him.
He huffs slightly. "Hey," and then childishly glares at me.
I stick my tongue out at him.
He only tightens his hold on me for a second and releases. I take the moment to sniff in a good helping of his scent while I can. Who knows when I will get to hug him like this again? He doesn't notice the sniff because of a buzzing phone. A thumb taps on the screen of his prettier iPhone and he answers a call.
"Hey Dino."
I look up to him.
"Yeah, I have Ora with me. Can you meet somewhere to take her? You know I can't take her to the hospital."
My stomach churns in a weird, uncomfortable fashion. I can feel my face twist as I my hand rests on my abdomen for a moment. Him calling me Ora doesn't feel right. I decide to not dwell on it to ask, "Why can't I go to the hospital?"
He looks at me, but answers Dino while looking around the car. "I can turn back that way and meet you and Romario in ten minutes." He snaps his fingers at the driver and quickly tells him to head to Namimori.
I furrow my brow while Nau talks to the driver and Dino. Inspecting him, I notice the deep bags under his eyes and how badly he needs a shave. He hangs up and finishes his conversation with the driver about meeting Dino while I scratch the back of my neck. He looks back to me and lets out a sigh before saying, "Now what were you saying?"
"Why can't I go see Grandpa?"
His eyes squint for a moment before responding; "He's in really bad condition right now. And we can't have anything possibly leaking out." I try to interrupt him, but his standing finger stops me. "I know that you wouldn't do that, but the only people that are allowed to see him are the Guardians. Reborn has even been ordered to stay with the Tenth Candidate Sawada. Don't feel like you're the only one. Even Dino is being shooed off."
Part of me really wants to argue this, but I do understand. So I let out a small snort and just rest my head on Nau's arm. He sighs and puts his arm around me, making my head now rest against his chest. After giving my navy blue sweater vest a tug and a sarcastic jab, our conversation stayed light and easy. I vaguely told him of the things that have been happening, and rubbed the make up off my face to show him the bruise that is still healing on my cheek. He laughed at me. I punched him.
He said in a playful tone. "Will you stop hitting me?"
"Only when you stop being a jerk."
"It's not my fault you're the dumb girl who get's punched in the face."
I shake my head. "Bah! I can't believe she punched me… and now she's my teacher…"
Nau raises a brow.
"Yeah. Weird."
He looks forward and says nothing more. I find the response interesting, mainly because he usually has an opinion about everything. But as I'm about to ask him why he's so quiet, he pulls away from me and nods to the driver. I sit up and see Dino and Romario waiting outside of their car in front of some restaurant with a big sign that says 'Nammy's.' I quickly ask, "You're pawning me off to Dino?"
His eyes slide to me while a smirk breaks through. "I've got to go see the Boss."
I snort and cross my arms. "You're a jerk. I probably won't even see you for a while…"
"I'll try to see you tomorrow, kay?"
Hearing his tone, so light and somewhat gentle. I know what that means. I look away from him. "I'm being childish, aren't I?"
He laughs. "It's nothing new."
I glare at him.
He quickly looks away with a weird expression. "You should stop glaring at people like that."
I lose my focus and tilt my head. "Why?"
Nau doesn't answer. He quickly gets out of the car and holds his hand out to lead me out. I scoot over and grab his hand. The sun hits me and I snap my eyes shut to how bright it is. Shit. "Whoa!"
Nau catches me.
"Idiot."
He stands me up while I listen to Dino, Romario, and the driver all laugh at me. Assholes. I look up to Nau who is wearing a smug look. I snort at him, and messes up the top of my hair before getting back in the car, making a quick exit. I groan; the butt-face didn't say bye. Seeing the car fade in the distance, I look back to Dino and Romario. "Hey guys."
Romario nods while Dino responds, "Hey."
"So what are we doing here?"
"Ganauche said you looked like you hadn't eaten, and we haven't eaten yet, so we're having lunch."
I smile and look in the direction that Nau's car left. I take back the butt-face comment.
After lunch with Dino and Romario, and being convinced to let Romario check my recent battle scars, Dino takes me over to the hospital Lambo is at to meet Reborn and Tsuna. The Cavallone says that he has something to do before heading over to the battle, and that I should go with them. Watching Dino and Romario drive off from the entrance of the hospital my head fills with all of the negative thoughts that I've been running from all day. Grandpa, my past, and Xanxus. My past isn't bothering me so much now, as I've spent this time with Ganauche, Dino, and Romario I've also come to a slight solution. I'll just deal with it tomorrow.
With Grandpa there isn't anything I can do except believe that he will make it. He has had so many struggles with his health problems in the past and always found a way to over come them. I know he can do it again. He's tough.
So I'm left with my personal conflict of a confusing Boss that I'm somehow attracted to. I walk into the hospital building and beeline for the open elevator on my right. My finger taps for the fourteenth floor. "Hah, there's no thirteenth floor."
The old man next to me starts staring at me weirdly.
My body hunches slightly. "Sorry."
The ride on the elevator stays silent after that awkward moment, and my mind trails back to Xanxus. I'm confused, just confused. There are feelings there, but I don't know how I feel about everything that happened yesterday.
The elevator bings. It's not my floor.
The old man exits and the doors shut. The elevator rises and my thoughts shit to the passing levels. His face, his eyes, that smirk. I can't take it. This sucks. The door opens. "Whoa, hey."
"Ahh, Mizuno-san."
I wave. "Hey. Dino dropped me off to go with you guys."
Reborn said nothing, but Tsuna responds. "Eh? Dino just dropped you off?"
"Uhh, yeah."
He starts to wave his hands at me frantically while wailing, "No don't come Mizuno-san! It's going to be really dangerous, and I don't want you to get hurt like you did at the Mist Battle!"
I huff, "Tsuna, I'm not a kid. I can take care of myself."
He looks the ground before saying, "I just don't want anyone else to get hurt because of this Mafia stuff."
I stare at the kid in front of me that obviously isn't my roommate Tsuna. The Tsuna I know is stupid when it comes to anything academic, a klutz when it comes to anything athletic, and superficial when it comes to anything emotional. But the Tsuna in front of me is showing me that I've either missed something, or I've always been missing something. He is actually kind of amazing, and he might actually kind of care about me. I just wish it were reason enough to listen to him.
I lie. "Okay. I won't go. But can I at least walk with you to the school?"
He looks at me dubiously before responding, "Uh, okay. But I really don't want you to stay long. Xanxus is a scary person."
I roll my eyes. "So I've heard."
Then Reborn finally speaks, "Then let's go."
They enter the elevator and we quickly go down to exit. We then calmly promenade over to the school where Tsuna is about to have the fight of his life. I take instances here and there to glance at my roommate. His eyes look strong, he's standing with this uncertain look of confidence, and there is a frown that is unfading. After questioning why he is in his uniform of all things, I realize I'm still in mine. I smack my head; I look like an idiot with this uniform on.
We pass the gates—the three of us—just like this morning. Tsuna and I look over to Reborn curiously as he leads and tells us the battle will take place in the courtyard. While the main member of team Namichuu and his tutor amble around the building in haste, I keep a slower pace. The butterflies are already present and my heart is racing. I want to smack and curse myself right now but stay quiet.
My eyes wander about as we pass the gymnasium and sports field while walking around the main building to get to the courtyard. I did suggest we just go through the school, but men… They just had to go around the building to get to the courtyard. They're now a good meter ahead of me, and turning the last corner to our destination when a loud explosion sounds.
The ground trembles and I drop to one knee while dust swooshes out at an alarming speed. Swiftly I get back up and turn the corner as second wind blows through. A bright light shines and the passing wind is scorching hot. I block the wind and light with my arm until it subsides.
My arm drops—there he is. Xanxus. I notice the other boys of team Namichuu are standing on the right side of the courtyard's entryway and are standing closer to the man I can't take my eyes off of. That devilish grin he's wearing; he looks like a naughty little boy. I love it. It's so cute.
Reborn mutters something while I continue to ogle my past savior. Same belt, boots, and headdress as before; he's actually wearing his jacket for a change; and his tie is knotted in a Full Windsor. He looks so good. But as Tsuna is saying something, I notice that Xanxus is also wearing a thick white belt tonight. What's with that?
"So you came, Scumbag."
I smile, unable to resist that cute fucking smile.
The man smoothly slips his jacket off and hangs it over his shoulders for god knows why. The reason doesn't even matter—he looks good doing it with that smirk on. Dammit I can't stand it. I see his expression, and want to just do something to him. I dunno, hug him I guess. That grin is just ridiculous. Seeing the main Namichuu boys plus Basil all standing next to me now, I snap back into reality. My immediate response is to say what the fuck, but I'm interrupted by the sound of talking Barbies:
"We have been expecting you"
I look up to see the two jump from the top of the building to the right of us. They get straight to the point, saying that everyone is present for the battle to begin. First appears that retarded girl from last night and Hibari, and then the Bel and Levi appear. Levi has a large big cage in his grasp. Inside sits a little baby in a cloak. Why the hell is he in a cage? It doesn't matter; I want to ask him about my headaches. My attention shifts as a familiar and flamboyant voice screams.
"Please be more gentle~~~~!"
I smile, "Lussuria?" I don't even know why I'm even happy to see him, but I am.
"You're handling a critical patient you know!"
Tsuna yells, "Lussuria!" Gokudera gives an incredible glare. "With his bed?" And Ryohei exclaims, "Wow, you're still alive?"
I tilt my head; did he want him to die?
The Cervello say that the other Lightning guardian has arrived, and we all start looking around. Behind appears another Cervello holding Lambo in her arms while dragging oxygen tanks behind her. Tsuna immediately yells exactly what I'm thinking, but then the main Cervello that has managed to stay alive through this whole scramble speaks, "Compulsory summons take nothing else into account. In the Sky Battle, the six rings as well as the six lives of the guardians are all at stake."
I look at Xanxus, who is far out and by himself. His smirk never fades as Tsuna pleads for them to give Lambo back. The Barbies quickly deny him, and Lussuria chimes in, saying that it's the duty of a guardian to appear when summoned, no matter what condition they're in.
I really want to ask where Squalo is, but Yamamoto beats me to the punch. The answer (the man's dead) is something that unsettles the Rain guardian. I'm not so sure how I feel about it. I guess I'm kind of over it; it's not like he liked me anyways. But I stop thinking about it after hearing the Cervello suggest that they start the battle. Tsuna tries to argue more as the pink-haired Barbies try to start the battle, but the Cervello are pretty good at sidestepping him.
Start the battle or forfeit is what they declare.
Tsuna shuts up.
After taking all the rings from their holders, the Cervello tells us that the whole school will play as the battle ground for the sky battle, and that all the guardians will all participate in the battle while wearing some watches that have little TV's installed for them to watch Tsuna and Xanxus fight. Standing next to Gokudera, who already has put his on, I look at it curiously. It's cool looking no doubt, but I have no desire to wear it. I don't like things on my wrist.
Everyone is instructed to head to their respective areas where they can choose to fight when the battle begins, and the boys take the moment as their only chance to do the team huddle. I can't help but laugh when Ryohei tells the dumb girl and Hibari that they don't have to join; he revised the huddle for them. He's so funny. I look back towards Xanxus while all of Tsuna's friends tell him little words of encouragement. My skin crawls.
Tsuna is now giving me a nervous look.
"Alright. I'm leaving."
I give another glance to Xanxus, who I actually catch spare me a second's glance. My body ignites in flames just on the thought that I'm even good enough for that. Jesus this is bad. I notice Tsuna giving a curious expression. I smirk back and leave the courtyard. I'll just find somewhere to hide in the process.
My legs lightly jog around the building and take notice of the jumbo screen while trying to think of a good place to hide and watch… Hmm, the building that they used for the rain battle could be a good place. While running, I realize that they obviously have cameras set up around there. I stop to really check out the view. Sweet—there's a blind spot. I wait for a second longer to see the timing of the cameras. Whoa, Hibari is behind me. A glance behind me shows the Bat himself, standing next to some large metal tower with a scowl. Typical. Looking back to the screen and getting a good idea of how much time I have between the procession of camera views, I make a mad dash for the spot while the cameras start to toggle over the other views they have around the school.
Now in place, I find a screen to look at while still staying hidden. This will work just fine since they also have sound streaming from them. I focus on the bright screen; the Cervello are talking again. They tell each side's guardians that the towers in front of them are holding their rings.
Bel's voice streams over the field, "So in other words… We'll be fighting too?" His excitement is hard to miss.
"You are all free to do so, that is, if you are able to?"
I raise a brow.
It almost sounded planned, but a short series of moans and groans quickly sound off simultaneously after the Cervello's last statement. The toggling camera view shows all the guardians grabbing the wrist their watch-things are on. You see why I don't like stuff on my wrists? You never know when that wristwatch will turn against you.
"Just now, all the guardians were injected with a poison administered from their wristbands."
One by one I see the guardians drop. Well, Hibari is still standing, but you can tell he's having a hard time doing so. They begin to curl up and writhe in pain. Wait, what the hell is that girl doing in the battle? No one ever said she was on team Namichuu.
Where's the gay guy*?
The reason for their pained expressions is something called "Death Hitter" according to the Cervello. They also reveal that the ones poisoned have thirty minutes to retrieve the ring and push it against the screen of the TV watch thing. Doing so will activate something in the watch that will administer the antidote to the poison. The screen shows Tsuna's distaste to the stipulation only for a moment, but his spoken distaste is heard clearly.
"This is supposed to be the Sky Battle, so why is everyone else involved like this?"
It is then iterated that ensuring his guardians' safety and accomplishing his goal at he same time is the duty of the boss. Tsuna keeps his distaste, but is overlooked by the Cervello. They must be tired of his complaining over the past week. The Tsuna I know and this Tsuna are definitely the same when it comes to hearing something they don't like—they're bitchers and complainers. But outside the complaining, Tsuna makes it clear that he wants to get the fight going since his friends are currently dying.
With the screen now focusing on the courtyard, it is said that interfering with the battle by using things like special bullets and so on is forbidden. I watch Reborn nodding his head right as Xanxus is dashing towards Tsuna. Little Decimo doesn't react, getting punched in the face so hard that he flies across the courtyard. He breaks through the concrete wall of the school.
I mutter, "Holy fucking shit," and remember that time I tripped Xanxus. I probably would have suffered the same fate if Grandpa and the guardians weren't there.
Fortunate timing on my behalf.
The Cervello lightly scold Xanxus, but he slyly responds with, "Let's hurry and get this started—isn't that what he said?
The survivor Cervello tries to clarify with, "Yes, in that case, but the attack on Sawada is—"
Basil interrupters her. "That was foul Xanxus!"
"My bad. Did I get him before he was shot with his special bullet?"
Special bullet? What is he talking about?
"How foolish," Reborn says holding a smoking gun, "Who do you think you're dealing with?"
Out of nowhere, Tsuna's resting spot of concrete rubble blasts. Just like myself, Xanxus watches the area with a serious stare. Smoke erupts and dissipates quickly. Out from the smoky veil rises the 'cool vibes Tsuna' that has been showing himself here and there as of late. Reborn takes the moment to give some final advice to Tsuna: he needs to fight Xanxus whole-heartedly; he will die otherwise.
"I know," responds the frowning roommate. "I'm going to put this guy away first."
Xanxus' serious expression cracks, revealing that smirk again. "You're going to put me away first? With that level of power from last night?"
"Do I look the same as last night?"
Xanxus doesn't respond.
The Cervello take the moment to quickly usher the people who are still in the courtyard somewhere. Reborn, Basil, Dr. Shamal and another baby (what the hell?) with a bird start to follow the girl, and another Cervello finds the two guys that were at the Cloud Battle last night too. I wonder how they know Tsuna? They don't wear the same uniform as us, and they don't really look like they even belong in Junior High. I guess that's a common occurrence for the people that hang out around Tsuna…
I jump.
Rustling grass.
Someone is walking around here.
I look at the building and see a metal pipe that's bolted into the wall. I grip it as tight as I can and quickly scurry to the roof. I lay myself down and stop breathing. I look at the screen to try and ignore my anxiety of the footsteps wandering around me.
Xanxus speaks while keeping a confidently calm stance. "Just as I thought. Looks like nothing has changed."
Tsuna shifts his weight one moment and is right next to Xanxus to attack. The Varia Boss instantly dodges what looks like a chop from the trailing flame and counters with an elbow. Tsuna catches it, and his hand starts glowing until Xanxus turned around in a split second, kicking the shit out of him. Decimo flies into the wall again. Xanxus doesn't even look fazed.
He starts running towards Tsuna while saying, "Is that it?"
Wait… is that person still here? I focus to around me, not hearing the rustle of grass any longer. I'll just stay up here until I have a reason to move.
The screen—it's bright. My eyes avert back to the fight and realize I missed something, but see that there is a giant, black-charred hole in the school. What the fuck was that? Xanxus laughs while Tsuna retreats. Decimo blasts himself up high and places himself on the school's building. "How the fuck is he standing sideways on the building?"
"Do you know why the First Boss, who used gloves like you, fled to Japan and retired?" Xanxus asks the middle schooler defying gravity. "Because he feared a fight with the Second Boss."
Tsuna looks as curious as I am.
"If the Flame of Wrath had crushed the weakly Dying Will Flame, it would disgrace his name of being the strongest. He was afraid of this flame."
So he saying he's the Flame of Wrath and Tsuna is the dying Will Flame?
Tsuna responds, "Would you like to try it out? Your flame and mine—shall we see which is stronger?"
I gulp.
Gravity takes Tsuna. Whilst in the movement of free fall from his sideways stance on the building, the flames on the Decimo's hands grow, and he moves faster. Xanxus leans back in laughter for a moment, "Buhahaha. Just how much of scum can you be," and I just feel that desire to hug him again. That smile is… wow.
He says something else just before the two clash. Xanxus stands firmly planted on the ground and his glowing palm is raised to Tsuna's brightly burning fist.
Another explosion.
"Fuck." Smoke is covering the screen, but it fades just in time to—"Tsuna hit him?"
Xanxus smashes into the building and Tsuna crouches onto the ground in a pouncing stance. My jaw dropped. From here my roommate took a second's rest before charging into Xanxus' crash zone. A beam of bold scarlet blasted out of the smoky hole in the building towards him. He grabs his shoulder and another blast lights from Xanxus' location. But this blast went upwards.
TINK, TINK, TINK, TINK…
"What is that?"
I raise my head to see more of my surroundings below this building I'm on. Holy shit, Hibari is beating the metal tower down. His glare is looking fiercer than ever as his body wobbles just as much the beaten legs of the three-pronged tower. The ring on the top hops to each blow of Hibari's discipline as if it's scared of its guardian too. I shiver slightly, "bad night to be a pole."
"I didn't want to pull a weapon out on scum like you."
Hearing his voice, I instantly look back to the screen to see two red eyes glaring, two guns glowing, and one man standing so coolly that it should be a crime. All of my hairs rise to the sight of Xanxus and Tsuna staring off. Tsuna looks unfazed by the guns that are now in the Varia man's hands, but his stance is saying otherwise. He's being really cautious—I remember Dino showing me this stance when he was teaching me basics.
Wait. Why isn't Dino here? Well, is he here?
I focus back on the fight on the screen to see that they have upped the ante by making the midair their battlefield. Xanxus easily shoots his guns, using the propulsion of the shots to keep him in flight as Tsuna seemed to flying around him to keep up. And right when I want to tell Tsuna to step away like Dino told me to in situations like this, he charges in. Xanxus shoots.
Tsuna blocks the hit with his flames, and the screen splits to show the beam rocketing straight into the gym. From a camera put inside the gym, they show Mammon and the one girl one the floor with rubble all around them. Mammon yells that Xanxus almost hits him, but gets no response. I look at the tower in the gym to try and see if the ring is still on the top, but the picture isn't sharp enough.
Wait. What about Hibari?
I peek over the edge of the building cautiously. Don't need him thinking I'm some kind of pole. But my head is finally high enough to see below…
"What the shit?"
The tower had fallen to the ground somewhere between the last time I saw Hibari biting away and now. Jesus he's a scary guy. My eyes gander upon the Bat on one knee; he looks as if he's trying to muster up strength. After a moment more, the black haired guy stands and picks something off of the ground. The ring maybe? He then does something with his watch and walks off.
"THIS IS CHARITY!"
I look to the dark sky where five small glowing lights are dancing about like fireflies. While three are more of an orange color, two of them (more of a scarlet color) are getting brighter and brighter. Not even a second passes and two giant beams of scarlet shoot out towards the school. One slams onto the roof where I used to sleep all the time, and the other blasts inside the school where they had the storm battle the other night. The screen that was showing the two bosses fight splits and shows the two collision zones. One the right side of the screen has Levi crawling towards something. Probably the ring. On the left is Bel—and Dee?
"What the fuck is she doing in there?"
With a blank stare right into the camera, she says, "Well. It looks like its time for me to go." Her gaze then looks back down the crawling prince and kicks at the ground. "Yeah, you're not getting that so easy."
Dee snaps her attention to something, grabs Bel's crown, and dashes off. Then sounds of other people in the building start to echo and three Cervello easily leap over the floored prince. Damn, it's a bad day to be a prince. Crippled. Ignored. Robbed. I can only shake my head; there's a part of me that wants to sympathize. Hah, no I don't. He tried to kill me in my sleep.
A crashing sound echoes really close to me, causing me to look in its direction. On my left, a small figure a decent distance away, busted out of a window and somehow keeps a stride. They have something glinting in their hand as the figure keeps running, and two Cervello jump out the window one after another. The person (that I'm guessing is Dee) keeps running and skits into a wooded area of the school with Barbies on her trail.
What the fuck was that about?
I look back to the screen, seeing Bel still inch towards the ring. "Hehehehe, I'm saved!"
Seeing no reason to watch him anymore, or watch Levi as he heads over to 'kill the little cow brat' I try and look forward at Xanxus and Tsuna fighting far from me. Can't see anything. Dammit. I want to get closer. Seeing the screen switch back to them, I see that Decimo and Xanxus are really only talking, so I decide to look around this building for something going on.
"Whoa, Bel is fucking quick to recover."
The prince is slinking his way past the corner of the school that the Cervello jumped out of only a minute or so ago. Hibari is already there, swinging a tonfa at him. Bel barely backs by a hair's breadth to narrowly avoid the blow. Hibari catches something and throws it into the air. I try to follow it, but it's too small. From what I can tell though, whatever he threw never came back to him. I creep myself to a place on the roof a little closer as the two… difficult members of each team have some kind of verbal standoff I can't hear. Then some kind of blast sounds from the monitors/speaker system, but I pay no mind to it—this fight is going be good.
By the time I scoot close enough to hear them, Bel already has his knives floating all around him and Hibari has his tonfas in attacking position. They both dash towards each other full speed, but in a fashion that makes them perfectly parallel to one another. Knives orbit around the Prince like Saturn's rings while he flicked a good amount of his signature daggers at the passing opponent.
Crap. Hibari doesn't know.
The Bat knocks them away without a second thought, only to feel the slicing of the hidden wires. Bel's smirk gets wider and he swiftly throws another wave of knives. Hibari tries to dodge the knives again to be sliced deeper. Bel is winning this for sure, especially now as Hibari is falling to ground. Dammit I wish I was close enough to hear them, but I'm only close enough to see Bel throw what looks like a last wave of knives at the fallen Bat.
They fly, and they are caught.
"He fucking caught them?"
The Bat President crouches himself while inspecting the silvery little fuckers. I give a quick glance to my sore arm, reminded of my scuffle with Bel earlier this week. Light clangs can be heard as they are dropped to the ground and tonfas are picked up. Then it looks like something drops around Hibari and it scares Bel back. Things start swishing around the Bat and blast into the school walls as an attack on the Prince. Bel runs like a scared puppy.
"Whoa. That was unexpected."
I look at my arm once again in thought until I hear a small crumbling sound. My eyes dart to the jumbo screen to see the camera is focused on Xanxus as he reloads his handguns in a flash. Tsuna burns his way back to the sky, Xanxus snidely mocks him while his body in the limbo between rising and falling. Before my roommate can even answer, millions of those scarlet beams shoot out of Xanxus' guns. I grit my teeth lightly; Tsuna couldn't avoid them.
On the screen, is Xanxus landing on the roof of the school as he says, "Saved by your outfit?"
The screen now shifts for everyone to see Decimo to slam into concrete of the courtyard while Xanxus watches from above. It takes Tsuna a few moments, but he gets back up in a clumsy fashion. His gaze never leaves the Varia leader until he raises those gauntlet hands, making a triangle with his fingers. Like magic the space between his fingers began to glow in light that seemed… heavenly? I can't even describe how beautiful it is; it's almost as amazing as that scarlet glow of Xanxus' hand.
Tsuna stays perfectly still as his hands keep glowing brighter and brighter, as well as his body becoming more engulfed by his own flames. It's cool looking—I wonder what really religious people would think of this. I can't help but chuckle, they would probably say Xanxus is the spawn of Satan. But as I pay attention to the fight again, Xanxus starts laughing.
"Fuahahaha! You no longer see a chance for victory, so you're getting desperate?"
I tilt my head in confusion, and tilt it more when the flames around Tsuna start looking more like electricity. He still stands there completely still, focusing on what he's doing. The screen that had Xanxus wearing that cute smile now shows the Varia leader wearing an incredulous glare. Is something wrong?
"The Dying Will Zero Point Break Through!" Then his glare sharpens. "I won't allow it!"
Instantly the man jumps off the roof and shoots for speed, face first towards Tsuna. Tsuna notices just before Xanxus gets to him, blasting himself up. Xanxus easily shoots towards the ground to follow him. Then right as he's catching up, he yells, "You can't escape so easily," and smacks Decimo with the chamber of his gun.
Tsuna recovers by a simple adjustment of his flames, but then he and I quickly see that Xanxus somehow moved behind him. Another scarlet beam gets him before he can react, and Tsuna puts himself on the ground. It's beyond obvious how much pain he's in now, but he doesn't waste time. Still crouching on the ground, my roommate starts doing the triangle thing with his hands right when Xanxus does one of those super shots with the million and one beams.
I yell, "TSUNA" and grab my mouth.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I gave myself away. Tsuna… is he okay? The screen in front of me is messed up so I can't see a thing.
The screen comes back, revealing only a thick smoke. It subsides to show Tsuna on the ground—unconscious. This is bad. This is… I stop; there are heels clacking close. Hibari doesn't wear heels. My adrenaline starts to rush as I start thinking of a way to escape. I spare a second to glance at Xanxus saying something on the screen, but am too caught up in my panic to hear it. The clacks are getting closer.
I take two steps back towards the piping I used to get up. A hand grabs my shoulder. "Spectators are forbidden to watch the battle on the playing field—"
Before I let her finish, I grab her arm, elbowing her with the arm she grabbed. I can feel her hunch slightly, and take the moment to stomp on her foot, turn around, and kick her in the crotch. I probably should've kicked her in the stomach, but I could only remember that stupid self-defense stuff Nau taught me to do if a guy attacked from behind. But the way she's holding that spot has me under that impression she might be a man. It might just be that it really hurt too.
I waste no more time thinking on it and kick her once in the chest before repeatedly stomping on her face.
Mizuno, you can't be found—kill her.
I keep stomping.
God knows what will happen if you get found.
I stomp harder.
"WHAT?"
I hear Xanxus' voice and stop. Holy fucking shit… I massacred her. My attention shifts over to the screen to quickly see what Xanxus seems so flabbergasted about. "Holy shit, he's alive."
Tsuna is standing in front of Xanxus as of he didn't even get hit.
Something grabs my ankle. "Holy shit, she's alive."
The Cervello, whose face is a bloody and swelling mess, lightly grips my ankle and starts reaching for something. Thoughtlessly, I bend down and yank the wandering hand to see a serrated knife. I've seen one of these; the teeth are designed to even slice bones with ease. With her wrist under my submission I drive the knife into her own throat. I can't be caught. Her long fingers let go as she starts to choke. My grip switches to the knife, pulling out to finish her.
One stab in the side of her neck—artery.
Pull out.
Final stab in her ear—equilibrium.
Pull out.
Kneeling on top of her with wide eyes, I let out a deep breath.
"Fuck you Reborn. My intelligence just saved me."
I wipe the blade off on the Cervello's shirt while watching Tsuna and Xanxus have another standoff. They are talking about whatever Tsuna did to survive that hit. I guess it's some kind of two-bit version in comparison to Primo's. Primo? They mean like the first boss, right? His name has been dropped a lot during this. I stop looking to scan my surroundings. As much as I want to keep watching, I need to move. One last look at the Barbie, then a gander at my ruined uniform, a slide of the knife's blade under the waist of my skirt, and I walk to my escape route.
I creep around the corner of the rainy building as soundlessly as I can, but am stopped.
"Teru-san?"
My eyes dart. "Yamamoto?"
His stance was tense, but now relaxes. "Haha, what are you doing here?"
"Uh, I forgot some books for my homework… and…"
His eyes glance over my uniform and back to my eyes before saying, "You probably shouldn't be here. It really isn't safe." His eyes trail over my dirty uniform again.
I nod. "Ya don't say?" My eyes dart left and right to think of a lie. "Then I guess I better go home."
And then he gives that same look he gave me on the first day, when he caught my lie. "Take care of yourself," and he runs towards the entrance that he advised me to go to.
I snort and give him a smirk. He really is a nice guy. Too bad he isn't very convincing either. I look at the school building in front of me and decide that using this will probably be a safer route. Thank god there are plenty of broken windows. I take off my vest and wrap it over my hands to grab onto the windowsill while I dash vault* through the space.
While gripping onto the window, I can feel the glass shards breaking my skin, but only look ahead as my feet now push off the inner wall of the building. My push off the wall helps me avoid some overturned furniture. With a front roll on the rubble-covered floor, I lurch forward to keep moving. I want to get closer to the fight.
Right as I run out into the main hallway a loud boom resonates and the whole school rumbles. I duck to the falling pieces of ceiling and smoke. After taking in a breath of the cement clouds I start to hack the shit out. It hurts my lungs. Using my sweater as shield from the dust, I then use another part of it to rub the crap out of my watering eyes. After a the dust finally dropped, I put the sweater back on and look over to see someone sitting right outside the new opening of the school.
"Xanxus?"
Pulling himself up off the ground, he stops to sit and cough. His arm lowers with blood on it. There is blood on his lips too. I bite my lip. He looks in really bad shape. I then start to step closer to the windows to watch them from the better view. Right as I get a perfect angle, Xanxus starts to speak.
"How could I lose to your fake Zero Point Break through… From a scummy fake like you." And then something weird starts happening as he yells. "FUCK. FUCK. YOU FUCKING BASTARD!"
Xanxus keeps yelling at the top of his lungs while dark, I guess scars or lesions, on his skin start to appear. The more he yells, and the angrier he looks, the darker they appear. It's crazy. It looks really fucking cool. Everything about him looks so fearsome and cool that it makes my skin crawl. It's even making my adrenaline surge again.
His hands glow brighter than ever as he stands and roars, "YOU'RE FUCKING DEAD!"
Without any edge of confidence he usually carries, Xanxus recklessly charges forward where Tsuna is waiting for him. Tsuna punches him in the face, but Xanxus doesn't falter. It's awe-striking. The way he refuses to lose. He's in a bad position, but he shows no fear and trudges forward. I want that. I want that so bad—that ambition. He is constantly looking forward and always striking and fighting and believing.
"He's… he's amazing."
I watch, as he and Tsuna are in each other's faces, hand-in-hand—deadlocked. Both are gritting their teeth and roaring like wild men as they both begin to shine brightly. Slowly a ball of light forms around them and causes more smoke to blow around. "Che. I can't make out a fucking thing."
Someone grabs my arms. "Are you Teru Mizuno?"
I jump and look back. "Shit."
I try to yank them away, but the Barbie has a good grip. "You will be punished for killing an officiate of the Sky Battle at another time. For now, I will be escorting you to the spectators box."
I snort. "Fine."
Walking behind me and still holding onto my hands tightly, we amble down the main hallway of the destroyed school to a doorway at the end. I take a moment in our casual stride to look at the smoke cleared battlefield where Tsuna and Xanxus stand. What's with that crazy look on Xanxus' face? We keep walking and Xanxus starts yelling in question of how something is possible. I wish I could focus in, but the rubble under our feet is loud and hard to avoid.
Wait. The rubble.
I look ahead and see a big and oblong chunk ahead. We get right in front of it, and I purposely step on it. I stumble. "Whoa." The Cervello leans into me, and keeps me from falling. I take a step back and feel the point of her nose on the crown of my head. Perfect.
I look back. "Thanks."
"Please use more caution."
"Okay."
Xanxus yells again while my captor and I trudge forward. Mizuno, keep cool. Your chance will come soon. I take a deep breath and kick the door open like the Barbie asked. Just wait for it.
Outside now, in front of me is a tall, chain-linked fence where Dr. Shamal, Basil, Reborn, some other baby with a pacifier, and other people are standing on the other side of and listening to Xanxus yell something. I think Reborn glances at me, but I can't tell from this headache that is appearing out of nowhere. Shit, I have to do it now.
I relax my arms and quickly lean forward, only to throw my body back to head-butt her nose. Her hands release mine—good. My hand quickly grabs the hidden knife under my sweater as I twist to attack. Leg, side, shoulder, neck. Switch my hold, grab her tube top, and then stab the small space of flesh between her left collarbone. Artery. She drops to the ground, and my dizzy body stumbles next to hers.
"Mizuno?"
I look up. "Dino?"
My whole body trembles to that incredulous expression on Dino's face. Just like the island. His expression is just like the one on the island. I see he has someone in a wheelchair next to him, but my vision is going weird now. Agh, I don't want to be here anymore.
The island; the fire; the pile of bodies—get the fuck out of here, Mizuno.
I mouth the dirty knife and pull myself up while my head throbs more.
I can hear another Cervello, but I just run. I've got to run from Dino. I've got to run from this pain. I must run from the past. I've got run to Xanxus. Run away from the 374*. I'll just run to him. I slip the knife back to its hiding place while I run. "Yeah, I'll run to Xanxus."
As I gain distance from the fence, my headache goes away. Well, the head-butt pain isn't subsiding. I don't get it, but don't have time to question it. There are more Cervello behind me. I just continue my pace to the courtyard where—
"What the…" In front of me stand Tsuna and Xanxus. But Xanxus looks incased in ice. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM!"
Tsuna looks back to me for a second, but looks forward and drops to the floor. I race forward and see Lussuria and Levi come out. Lussuria instantly goes in to attack Tsuna, but he and Levi both fade away. I can feel an eyebrow rise as Mammon now appears, mumbling something as he floats over to Xanxus.
I've got to get closer to hear him.
By the time I'm close enough to somewhat hear, the ring in Decimo's hand and the rings in Mammon's hands burst into flames. Mammon puts the burning rings by Xanxus. The ice starts melting away, and Mammon says something about how the rings will give some power to the New Vongola. I don't really get it but I keep running forward to hear better.
"It's about time you returned that." Bel somehow slinked over and got Tsuna's ring from him without a sound. "This ring belongs to the true successor."
The Prince and Mammon say something else, but I'm only focused on Xanxus as he falling to the ground. Shit, I don't want to see him hit the ground. He hits the ground, but I quickly skid next to him and ask, "Are you okay?"
He glares at me.
Bel crouches down next to me, shoving me slyly, and says, "Welcome back, Boss!"
Mammon adds, "It's time."
I ask, "Time?"
"Give me… The rings…"
Bel starts ranting gleefully as I try helping him roll Xanxus over. Mammon stops me. "You'll be called an interference, and Xanxus will have to forfeit."
I sigh and pull my hands back. God he looks a mess. I wince from the knife digging into my skin, so I quickly adjust the handle between my cleavage; I can pull it out quickly from there. My attention is caught as Tsuna starts mumbling, but look away quickly. I like Tsuna as a person a lot, but I know where I want to be. Then I can hear the yells of team Namichuu. I purse my lips until I feel my arms gripped really hard. I clench my teeth—the cuts
I hear Gokudera yelling, "Tenth," while the Cervello say, "You will not interfere any longer. Come with us."
I look back. Shit, two of them.
My lack of response triggers them to grip my arms harder and drag me back.
Bel happily declares, "Looks like everyone and their dog is here to witness the birth of the new Boss."
My legs start to burn as I stand, and I see just how bad I scraped them up from that slide on the ground earlier. Being pulled away, I try as hard as I can to hear what Mammon is muttering. But the Barbies pulling me off, stop suddenly. The rings attached to the chain Mammon was just holding and the ring now on Xanxus' finger are starting to glow.
Bel slips the ring on his Boss' hand.
Tsuna looks really worried.
Then Xanxus forces himself to stand, his hand held high. "This is the power! This limitless power is overflowing through me!"
I'm awestruck once more as his face holds such a brilliant smile. That happiness; you can tell he wanted that ring more than anything. Seeing that happiness, that look on his face—I'll do anything to see this again. Anything.
"GWAHH!"
Blood spurts out of Xanxus in any way possible.
I try and pull myself out of the Cervello girls' holds. "Fuck."
Xanxus falls to the ground. I think Tsuna says something because instantly Mammon asks him what he knows. Tsuna says nothing while he holds himself up on all fours.
Xanxus sits and starts muttering something. I need to get over there.
I bite one of the girls' hands while shoving my body into the other. With my free hand, I pull the knife out and slice my boob before getting the girl holding onto me in the shoulder. She let's go and I dash ahead. I need three seconds.
Xanxus gets himself on one knee as I arrive again, but he is also still using his arms. I want to help him up, but I know I can't, so I just listen as he starts to talk.
"That's right. That old fart and I have no blood relation whatsoever!"
What?
Tsuna mumbles out Xanxus' name between pants, and I mumble, "Are you—"
"DON'T YOU FUCKING PITY ME! YOU SCUM!"
I get a weird feeling and look back to the Cervello I bit. She knocks me to the ground by kicking my knees forward and then disarms me. "Fuck." She gets both of my hands and pulls handcuffs out of nowhere, clicking them tightly around my wrists. I am picked up when Squalo's voice resonates out of thin air, giving the exact pity statements that Xanxus didn't want. Xanxus responds and eventually starts yelling, but I'm too far away to make sense of it.
It doesn't matter though.
I heard all I need to hear.
*Gay guy - Lol, Mukuro. In the last chapter, Mizuno asked about "Team Namichuu's" Mist Guardian. Gokudera's weird and vague answer led her to the assumption that they chose a gay guy.
* 374 - This is the number of people she killed on the island
So I hope you will read this chapter twice, honestly. I feel like it's a chapter that you can't fully take in without reading it twice (wink, wink). I also did consider breaking this up into two chapters... like serious thinking, but breaking this thing in half would just take too much away from it.
Either way, I hope you guys liked it.
But bad news...
So I'm looking at my release schedule... and see that I'm going to have to put this story on slight hiatus to catch my other stories up. I'm thinking the hiatus will only last about a month and a half/two months tops. But it's mainly cause I don't want to give away the future arc for any of the stories that correlate with Mizuno's ("Wine, Veal, and Bloody Bites"; "Evander Nash"; "Righteousness Killed the Prig). So any anything, this is a great time to read up on those lol.
So to summarize: two more chapters, then two month hiatus.
