Disclaimer: I don't own KHR or any of the characters aside from my OCs.
Our wounds were just barely treated and a majority of our comrades were starting to complain about how tired and hungry they were when the next fighters attacked us. Skull and his partner, Oodako, came barreling through the trees with Fon close behind him.
"Yes!" I heard Kyoya hiss in excitement as he moved to combat Fon.
The former Storm Arcobaleno was a monster with great speed and he took off running with Kyoya on his tail. Skull also began to run, Gokudera and Dr. Shamal along with a few others chasing after him and that annoying octopus. The rest of us were cut off by Colonnello and Lal Mirch, and I knew we had made a severe mistake. We had split our forces and we were already weakened by our previous encounter.
Left behind to deal with the last opponents were Chrome, Mukuro, Dino, Yamamoto and me.
Yamamoto and I moved to corner Lal Mirch, who smirked at me and took her chances with firing at Yamamoto's prided baseball arm.
We were torn apart by the combative abilities of the two former Arcobalenos. I can't remember how many times Lal's leg connected with my head and Yamamoto didn't look like he could take much more after the first few minutes of combat.
"Ngh!" Yamamoto gritted his teeth, his weapon clattering in the dirt as Lal Mirch's foot went straight into his gut with a bone-breaking force.
I swung at her, missing my first punch but my leg shot out and I managed to kick her in the hip. The CEDEF member growled and slammed the butt of her rifle into my ribs, knocking me aside with ease but when she was about to take a shot at me, Yamamoto was on his feet again, driving her away.
Lal Mirch was surprised, her eyes wide as my ring lit up, "Wh-Wha-!? You should be running on empty by now!"
My alligator roared to life and proved her wrong, taking a chunk of her hair out as she moved away. My whole body was throbbing but I wasn't done yet. I glanced back, making sure that Dino was still alright before I continued my assault with Yamamoto backing me up. A kick aimed for her face had Lal Mirch, stumbling back into Yamamoto's waiting attack that rendered her down for the count. Both Yamamoto and I could hardly hold back the celebratory shout that came surging forward from our almost impossible victory. It was obvious that neither of us had expected such a desperate display of ferocity or teamwork.
"LAL!"
I spun and caught Colonnello's fist as it came for my face.
"Senpai!" Yamamoto was quick to react, cutting at the older male only to have him duck away.
My stomach lurched as a new presence approached with a malicious aura. It was a presence that I knew all too well. I called out instinctively, "Mammon!"
"Tch." Was the response of the illusionist as he made himself known.
I was completely flustered when Mammon came at me with killing intent. I never expected to have someone who was usually an ally to be playing on the other team. I've gone soft. When I first joined the Varia, I didn't consider any of them allies and I didn't trust any of them. I actually expected most of them to become foes sooner or later but things had changed and my feelings changed with it. Fighting Mammon was one thing but fighting him with this much murderous intent floating about was another thing entirely.
Illusions shifted our setting from a forest to a swamp. The swamp may have been fake but the real danger of Mammon's illusions were the worm-like beasts with sharp teeth that came crawling out of the murky waters. I barely managed to weave out of the way as the first worm came leaping out at me with its jaws snapping. I knew that those were as real as illusions would get.
Blasted real illusion weapons… Fuck Verde for inventing those.
I stumbled backwards as the second creature came lurching at me from the left. Yamamoto and I were easily separated in the faux-swamp. I glanced around to find that Mukuro and Chrome had disappeared as well. Then I realized that taking my eyes off of Mammon had been a mistake. The illusionist had completely disappeared and all that was in front of me was a cluster of those same worm-like beasts with razor sharp teeth.
I continued to back away from the illusionist's weapons and eventually, I found myself back to back with Dino. I was completely surprised and I realized that the only thing keeping Colonnello from completely destroying me while Mammon gave me the royal swamp treatment was Dino. My heart warmed and I felt the need to apologize for being so stubborn and refusing his apology but now was neither the time nor the place for that.
I berated myself for being surprised by Dino's presence. I should have been keeping track of him on the battlefield but I hadn't ever fought beside Dino. I glanced back once more and convinced myself that he was an ally, not one of my usual allies but certainly a comrade.
For the first time, I took in his battle aura. It was surprisingly strong and I had to scold myself again for being surprised in the first place. He was the boss of the Cavallone Family for a reason. Dino isn't the same wimpy boy that I protected in high school. This time around, I can accept that.
When I fought against Dino during the Arcobaleno Representative Battle all those years ago, I couldn't believe that he had gained so much strength. My pride would not recognize him as an equal nor did I want to believe that he had fought me to a standstill. But something had changed between that battle and this one. It might be more believable because we're standing back to back on a battlefield but I think there's something else.
I watched with wide eyes as Colonnello lifted his rifle to take a shot at Dino. My instincts kicked in and I immediately began to think of a way to protect him. But I wasn't needed. Dino's whip lashed out, Sky Flames dancing along the length as it coiled around the bullet expertly. The Rain Flame coated bullet turned uselessly to stone and was easily deflected with another flick of Dino's wrist.
"Looks like Reborn taught you something useful after all, kora!" Colonnello grinned, lifting his rifle again. He let off a round of shots and I panicked again.
There wasn't a single ounce of fear on Dino's face. He simply flourished his whip again. The bullets came nowhere near him, in fact, he managed to turn one around and redirect it towards Colonnello.
"Tch." The former protector of the Rain Pacifier was forced to shoot his own bullet down.
"Kira!" Dino called out sharply, pulling me towards him in one rough tug.
I was surprised by Dino yet again as he swung his whip around to strike down Mammon's illusion-creatures that were trying to attack me using the fact that I was distracted by Dino to their advantage. The real illusion worms were turned to stone by Dino's powerful flame-coated strike. Just as fast as he had turned to protect me, he turned to strike out at Colonnello again.
Colonnello smirked as if he was about to retaliate but his eye caught sight of something else and all he did was click his tongue in annoyance and back away, taking Lal Mirch with him as he fled. He had been ordered to retreat and I knew it immediately. Why?
I blinked in confusion as Mammon's illusions disappeared too. They were all retreating. Was this a draw for the time being?
"Kira!" Dino grasped my shoulders tightly, looking me up and down with a worried gaze, "Are you alright? Why were you spacing out like that?! You could have been seriously hurt!"
I blinked up at him in confusion for the longest time and then I finally realized what had happened. I had been protected by Dino. He protected me. I looked around, searching for Romario or another subordinate but there was no one but us around. I stared up at Dino in wonder. Something had changed alright. Dino was no longer a clumsy oaf without his famiglia hanging around. He had finally overcome his disadvantageous restriction.
I couldn't keep the smile off my face. I was really proud of him for some strange reason. Actually, I should have been irritated by my own weakness but for some reason, being protected by Dino was making me incredibly happy. My pride wasn't aching at all. It was a strange feeling but I was genuinely happy for him for being able to get over his weakness.
"Kira!" He shouted at me irritably, "Don't smile! I'm serious! You could have been killed!"
His words had an opposite effect on me. It only made me smile even more.
He huffed at me in frustration, turning around to calm himself.
I stared at his broad shoulders, his back no longer appeared as frail as I had once thought it was, and I noticed that the battle aura he was previously radiating had faded back into that kind and warm ambience that I had always labelled him with up until now. Subconsciously, I reached out and put my arms around him. I felt him stiffen up in surprise and I immediately backed away, surprised by my own audacity.
He glanced back at me with a blush on his cheeks, "Wh-Wha- Why? I-I mean, err, umm, sorry. I'm sorry for yelling… and stuff…"
I shook my head quickly, my own face turning pink, "I should be… thanking you, I suppose, for protecting me like that. And I'm sorry that I was… umm… you know, so mean and… stuff."
I was surprised for the millionth time that day as he pulled me towards him to seal his lips over mine. I kissed back almost instinctively and I wondered when this became so natural. This kind of embarrassing thing would have never happened even a few weeks ago.
"Ahem!"
I squeaked in surprise and pushed Dino away, my face bright red as I turned to greet the regathering fighters that had been split up by the former Arcobalenos, "M-Mukuro!"
"Pineapple." I heard Dino grumble bitterly.
"Kufufu. Sorry for interrupting." He smirked at me and I knew he wasn't sorry at all, "Your companion fled."
"I expected as much." I muttered, regaining my composure, "Colonnello backed away too. It was almost like they were being called away."
"Most likely by Reborn." I didn't even have to look to know that the one who had spoken was Kyoya. My brother was bristling with anger, "Fon ran away from me too."
I didn't tell him but I'm glad Fon ran away because Kyoya looked like he was on the losing end of that battle with all those bruises on his face. Anyways, Sawada's group returned from their battle with Skull and Oodako as well but the only difference between them and us was the fact that they had come back with a prisoner. I full out grinned at Sawada as he pulled a tied up Skull into the trees behind him.
"Did we do good, Kira-san?" Kozato smiled at me childishly.
"Very good." I complimented him generously, stepping forward to rip the helmet off Skull's head, "Well, well, well."
"Eep." Skull immediately turned his gaze elsewhere, "Let me go. I don't know anything!"
"So you're not good for anything other than… stress relief?" My ring began to burn as my anger grew, "You can be my personal punching bag."
"R-R-Reborn-senpai is going to attack you next! He and Jager are waiting for you guys to enter the rocky pathway towards Colonnello-senpai's sniping point!" Skull stuttered out immediately.
"Pft." Kyoya snorted, clearly amused by the way I had so easily gotten all the information out of this one, "I still want to bite him to death."
"Hmm…" I hummed, debating on my choices, "Well, he was kind enough to give us some information. You can hit him a couple times."
"Wh-Wh-What?!" Skull complained immediately.
"Unless you want to tell me why we're fighting, I'll let my brother beat your face in until you can't feel anything." I shrugged, rolling my eyes at the way Sawada backed away in fear as Kyoya stepped forward, "What's Reborn planning?"
"I-I-I don't know!" He practically wailed, "H-He only told me to come and fight for him! If anyone knows anything is probably Fon and Colonnello-senpai!"
"Tch." I turned an annoyed look onto Kyoya and Kyoya did the same for me at the exact same time. We spat at each other, "You couldn't have captured him?"
We both narrowed our eyes in a glare and snapped, "Me?! You should've captured him!"
"Ahahah!" Dino cut in sharply, putting on hand on my head and the other on Kyoya's shoulder, "Now, now. It's alright. Let's all get along now…"
"Move!" We snapped at him sharply, shoving him aside to threaten each other again.
"Uwaaa…." I heard Dino say breathlessly.
"I've never seen the two of them argue before." Yamamoto murmured.
In the midst of our glaring contest, we spat a challenge at each other, "If it was me, I would have captured your opponent!"
We blinked at each other, stunned, and then we shared the same competitive smirk. I guess I have to capture Fon even if it kills me.
"Kufufufu. That argument was over much too fast." Mukuro approached me with two strides of his long legs, pinching my chin and pulling it up, "I wanted to see you cry."
"You're still going on about that?" I grumbled and before he even knew what was happened, I had kicked him in the balls. I watched as he doubled over, satisfied, "That's the only thing you're getting out of me, cheeky brat."
I cast a curious look towards my brother and he returned my gaze with an arrogant smirk.
"When you lose our little challenge, I want you to give yourself to me." Kyoya glanced from me to Dino and then back swiftly, "I suppose you'll be too busy looking after your useless partner but I won't be giving you a handicap."
"Oh? You're allowing Dino to help me?" I grinned at the way Sawada's Guardians gasped at the oddly imagined incestual nuance to those words, "You've already lost little brother. When I win, I want you to revert to speaking to me the way you used to when you were four."
Kyoya looked absolutely disgusted by the idea but he had complete confidence in himself, "Hn."
I can't imagine Kyoya ever talking to me as sweetly as he did back then. Oh god. I just have to win no matter what! It would be so damn cute. My ring was radiating flames and I couldn't hold it back.
"Move over, Sawada!" I shouted, storming past them to grab Dino right out of their midsts, "I'm going to catch Fon even if it's the last thing I do!"
"Ummm… Kira-san, don't we need a plan?" Sawada asked me oh-so-cautiously.
I paused and shot him a glare, "Here's the plan. Dino and I will catch Fon. You'll let Kyoya try to catch Colonnello. The rest of you are free to combat the others. It's fair to say that Lal Mirch, Jager, Reborn, Mammon, and Yuni will be more than enough prey for your group. Leave Mammon to Mukuro and Chrome. I'd say to focus more on bringing down Reborn and Jager. Lal Mirch was taken down between me and Yamamoto earlier so-!"
"Umm Kira-san!" He cut in sharply, blushing just the slightest bit, "Umm… That's a good plan and all… And it's only to be expected from someone like Kira-san but…. we can't keep up. We're tired."
Huh… Well, now that I'm taking another look around, it does look like these kids could use a break. Man, forget the kids, everyone aside from me and Kyoya looks like they've lost all will to fight. Thinking about it again, I'm tired too. I glanced back at Dino, my grip still tight around his wrist from my eager jump start on this competition between me and Kyoya, and he looked exhausted.
"I'm good to go." He assured me, running his free hand through his messy blonde hair sheepishly, "I'm not as beat up as I look."
I thought about it a moment, looking him up and down one more time. In the end, I got caught up staring at his hair. It was practically glowing in the setting sun but despite how good he usually looks, I couldn't pretend those bruises on his forehead weren't there and I certainly couldn't ignore the darkening spots of black under his eyes. His smile was hiding some pain, his eyes shining hopefully but it was the wrong kind of hope. He was scared that I would be angry if he couldn't keep up with me. He was hoping that I wouldn't see through his lie.
"Ahem." Sawada caught my attention again, smiling at me nervously, "Do you think we could find some place to stop for the night at least? If you and Dino-san want to go ahead, that's fine but could you help us set up camp first?"
"I… guess so." I muttered. Being with the Varia, my definition of partner might be a little twisted but I don't think Dino would like to be treated like I treat them. In fact, I don't think anyone outside the Varia would like to be treated like competition rather than a valuable partner. Seriously, I can't remember a time where Squalo-senpai ever said he needed a break. If I wanted to keep fighting, he kept me company even if it was all night long.
Dino laughed and hurried after Sawada as they gathered up the group. He hadn't argued with me. Meaning, Dino wasn't eager to fight.
I had to slow my pace for him but I'm not upset. Slapping my back, Kyoya muttered, "I'm getting a head start. Enjoy your night with the herbivores."
Those were teasing words. He meant to rile me up but I could only think of Dino's health. Dino means more to me than winning a silly competition and the overall goal of this whole fight is to defeat the Arcobalenos. Kyoya can wear himself out trying to capture Colonnello but I'll settle for going after the big victory.
"Kira-senpai." Yamamoto snuck up beside me, nudging me with his hip, "That was pretty cool of you."
"Huh?" I grumbled, starting at a much slower pace than Gokudera, Sawada, Dino, and the rest of those overly excited herbivores.
"Ignoring Hibari like that was pretty cool." He grinned, opening his mouth to speak some more but whatever he wanted to say was forgotten when his stomach growled nice and loud, "Uhh… It would be cooler if you would find us some food though! Hahaha!"
I rolled my eyes and ignored him. Moments later, my own stomach was rumbling hungrily not to mention just about everyone else setting up camp in a small flat under the shelter of the trees was dying of hunger too.
"Ughhh…" Kozato murmured, his stomach complaining just as loud as he was, "I want to go home and have a nice warm meal."
"Shut up, kid." I snapped, tossing our bundle of firewood down to get it all started, "Sawada's group is looking for something to eat. Leave it to them."
"Kira-san!" Sawada's wailing was almost perfectly on time. He practically threw himself onto my back muttering some incoherent jumble of complaints.
"Huh?" I shoved him off, "What are you screaming about?!"
"I can't kill it!" He shouted in my face, "It was flying away and I didn't want to chase it! It's alive!"
"Ahaha!" Yamamoto grinned at me sheepishly, "Gokudera and I really couldn't do it since… you know…"
"If it makes the Tenth unhappy, I'm willing to starve!" Gokudera snapped at me, "And you should be too!"
"I'm hungry!" Sawada complained loudly, "But I don't want to kill anything!"
My stomach growled like a beast and I was embarrassed out of my wits so I couldn't really say anything to the kid. In fact, I really didn't have to say anything.
He heard my stomach growling and he began to apologize profusely, "I can't! I'm sorry! I want to eat too but I don't want to kill anything!"
"I get it! You said that three time already." I sighed, shoving him away when he came forward to cling to me again, "Let's just hope that Dino's group comes back with something to eat."
As if on cue, Dino and Sasagawa Ryohei returned. I glanced up expectantly from the crowd of herbivores that refused to hunt for food.
Dino took one look at the hopeful gazes and sighed, holding up his empty hands, "I'm sorry."
"It's alright." Or so I said but my stomach directly contradicted me with a loud growl.
"You don't suppose we could eat illusions, do you?" Kozato grinned childishly at me, "I mean Tsuna's Guardians can make some real illusions, right? Who says we can't eat them?"
"The nutritional value of such foods would be absolutely zero." Mukuro said plainly and with disgust, "It would literally only take up room in your stomach and who knows what'll happen to your body once it's digested."
"Speaking of which…" Sasagawa started oddly quietly and then grew outrageously loud in his embarrassment, "I have to EXTREMELY go to the bathroom!"
"Me too!" Each Guardian and their partner chimed in, "Seriously!"
Dino and I awkwardly exchanged glances that secretly told the other, 'Me too.'
I turned two shades of red and glanced the other way immediately. Might be too much information to share with Dino anyways. Although, he didn't have a problem with that. He even offered to keep watch while I went pee in the bushes and he wouldn't let me refuse.
Needless to say, we went to sleep hungry that night. Most of us had our first experience being hungry and cold and shelterless that night but no one had trouble falling asleep. They were out like a lamp the minute we finished assigning watch shifts and whatnot. Of course I felt bad for them so I kept watch first. Plus it gave me plenty of time to think about my little game with the boss… or so I thought it would.
I was keeping the fire alive so it wasn't like I was freezing my ass off or anything but it was considerably cold when the sun went down.
As if he had read my thoughts, Dino dropped his jacket over my shoulders with a small smile, "Sorry."
"Why are you always sorry?" I allowed him to sit close to me, the warmth of his jacket couldn't compete with the burning of my cheeks, "You don't have to do this kind of stuff for me."
He chuckled quietly, "I always feel bad. I'd like to do whatever you ask and I'm always thinking of ways to show you that I really do love you but sometimes, it's kind of hard."
"Because I'm different from normal women?" I murmured, poking at the fire as I tried to hide whatever emotion I was feeling. It felt a little bit like disappointment but at the same time, it hurt just the slightest bit. "Would you prefer it if I was normal?"
"Kira, you're perfect the way you are." He said without the slightest bit of hesitation, "I don't want you to change. The one that needs to change is me."
Now that's a strange thing to say. I tossed another handful of branches into the fire, "Why would you need to change? You're normal, aren't you?"
"Too normal compared to you." He whispered over the crackling of the fire, "I've always thought about it but it's more obvious now than ever before. How can I keep up with an extraordinary person like you? Whatever you do, whoever you're with, no matter where you are you end up standing out. You're not like the others. That's why I fell in love with you. That's why I admire you. So how can I keep an extraordinary person like you beside me?"
I didn't have an answer to that. I didn't understand what he was asking me. There's no way to always have a person beside you unless you tie them up and lock them to your side but if it's always being in a relationship, I'd like that too.
He leaned against me heavily, his breath warm against my ear, "Kira, would you hate me if I asked you to think about joining my family?"
I pushed him away roughly, returning my attention to stoking the fire bitterly, "I thought you didn't want me to change."
"I don't." He sighed, "But do you have to change to join my family?"
That was a dumb question. Of course I do. Giving up my place as a member of the Varia would make me a completely different person. So that brings us back to the main problem. According to the boss' game, there should be a way for me to be a part of both. But I don't see the solution. How do I win this game?
An awkward silence fell over us. His eyes focused completely on the fire and he drew away from me. It made me feel cold despite the warm coat over my shoulders.
"Kira." He called after a long while of silence, "No matter who you're with, as long as you're smiling, I'll always… always… support you so just promise me that you'll be happy."
It's not possible to be happy without Dino but it's not possible to be happy without the Varia either. Frustrated, I stood up, tossing Dino his jacket as I turned to wake the next person for the watch shift. I'm going to sleep on it. I'll find that stupid answer the boss is leading me towards even if it's the last fucking thing I do. I hate this stupid shit so much. It's not like I don't want to be normal but why does normal have to be in those people's standards? My standard of normal is Kyoya. … Fuck. That's what makes me weird, huh? Well, I can't help it.
I glanced over my shoulder and caught a glimpse of Dino, shoulders hunched over and a miserable expression on his face. I hesitated but I continued on my way. I had no solution to give him because I hadn't found a solution for myself. I'm not as extraordinary as he thinks.
Hi: You've made a lot of good points my dear ma'am or sir... O_O In support of your comments, you've made no untrue statements. But in Kira's defense, she was that kind of character from the start. Change is difficult.
FailingMyAPExam: Well, all other comments aside I feel like the most important part of your review was that you're freezing! Hopefully, you're not freezing to death anymore! It's been a long while so I hope you're much warmer now. Made it through most of the winter without frostbite I hope?
My Name is Alice: I don't believe in happily ever afters without struggle. LOL Just kidding. I know a lot of stories have their perfect endings and I'm clumsily searching for some sort of ending to this one.
Guest: Updating slowly. That "tearing them apart" business seems to have been skipped over for now.
QuietSilence: Another boss-man admirer! Wow! There's just so many of you I almost feel bad for poor Dino. Haha. Such kind words! I'm glad another reader is enjoying the story and I hope you'll stick with me on this long journey to the end of the tale. LOL
