DISCLAIMER I DO NOT OWN KATEKYO HITMAN REBORN

Natsuki's POV

"Haunting Shadows of Varia. So tell me more about your story, Irie."

Irie took a second to process my sudden appearance. "Um it's nice to meet you, Haunting Shadows."

He approached me with his hand stuck out for me to shake. Not feeling a certain degree of likability towards this man, I took his hand, nearly crushing it. He roughly pulled back his hand, shaking it out a little.

"Well even I can understand when I'm not liked." He glanced back at his computer. "It's almost time."

Under my mask, I raised my eyebrow in suspicion. A sound of a small explosion erupted from one of the beds.

"Where is this place to the extreme?!" I watched as a younger version of Sasagawa Ryohei stumbled off his bed at Sawada. I sighed heavily in frustration.

'I just got rid of the future him only 2 weeks ago. Now the louder version is here?' I mentally groaned at the screaming argument between him and Gokudera. When they settled down Irie explained everything we needed to know about the Vongola Boxes and Arcobaleno trials. We were to go back in time to help Sawada receive his seals of approval in order to properly open his Vongola box.

However, it was only temporary in order to avoid suspicion against the real enemy, Byakuran. We had only one week to get every seal or else he wouldn't be able to open his box. Vongola chatted a bit more before deciding to return to their base until the time machine was ready.

Before they left a hologram Reborn stood in front of me. "So what are you going to do Shadows?"

"I will assist Sawada-san in getting his seals but I know that the Arcobaleno trails are specifically for the Boss. I will be watching over him for the most part until I deem it necessary to act myself. For now, I will be staying here to watch over Irie-san for any suspicious behaviors. Unless Sawada-san has a different plan for me?"

Sawada straighten up at my sudden question. "N-no, I think that that would be okay. I appreciate it Shadows-san."

I nodded at him. "Then return to your base and regroup."

The next morning Sawada's group reassembled and we were sent back to the past. We landed in the middle of the crowded Namimori's shopping district. Not wanting to attract attention, I slipped into an alleyway before anyone could notice.

"Huh, where's Chrome-chan?" I heard Sasagawa Kyoko say from the distance.

"Hahi she disappeared!" Miura Haru said after her.

"Juudaime, Haunting Shadows has disappeared as well." Gokudera whispered into Sawada's ear. I created a small illusion note in front of Sawada.

"I will stick to my word and watch over you, Haunting Shadows." Sawada read out loud. Once he finished I got rid of the note and went back to my hotel room for the time being.

Observing Sawada in school only made me realize that he really did deserve the title No-Good Tsuna. He failed to understand simple math questions and was almost bullied for it if it wasn't for Gokudera's bad temper. It was almost sad to actually watch him fail at everything. He was even used as a post during Colonello and Lal Mirch's fight.

Colonello announced that his trial would be the trial of combat, after school. I let Sawada and his guardians head out first as I watched over Sawada's new classmates, Monte and Himeko Hariyama. They decided to go shopping with Kyoko and one of her friends to help them 'familiarize' themselves with their new surroundings. However, their shopping day ended early when Trident Shamal took the girls away.

I ran up to them linking my arms with the transfer students. "Looks like you've been found out."

"As expected of a man that we once scouted." Monte or really Mammon said. "I thought you would be travelling the world after being on suspension for so long. What are you doing here?"

"New job from Reborn. I'm acting as an extra hand during the Arcobaleno trials. I'll be watching over Sawada-san's progress over the next few days. Honestly, he really needs all the help he could get." I hated lying to the both of them but I knew it had to be done. I couldn't expose the secret of time travel to the dystopic future.

"Reborn did?" Mammon was clearly skeptical of my answer. Why wouldn't he be? Reborn didn't know who I was. There was no reason to ask me, of all people, to watch over his pupil's progress.

"I ended up in Japan and decided to scare Sawada-san when Reborn found me." Bel tensed up next to me. Despite all of the practice I put into my little explanation Bel was the one that taught me how to lie. He could probably tell that I was keeping information from them.

"I have to go watch over Colonello's trial. I'm staying at the usual hotel suite so you guys can stay there too." I needed to avoid any more questions for now. I unhooked my arms and handed them the room key. After Bel took it, I rushed off to the island. I didn't feel like changing much so I merely covered up my civilian clothes with my Varia jacket and put on my mask.

"You came Shadows." Reborn said from his beach chair.

"I said I would. Mammon is, also, suspicious about why I'm helping out with the trials. I told him that I was doing a job under you. Don't make it look like I'm favoring Sawada-san's side."

Reborn tilted his fedora to cover his eyes. "Of course not."

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at him and let my legs dangle off the cliff. Sawada and Gokudera were already in battle position for trial of combat against Colonello.

Next was Skull's trial where he asked Mammon for a little assistance. However, since Skull couldn't pay Mammon's fee, Skull received half-heart illusions and was abandoned in the end, letting Sawada receive his seal of charisma. Then was Mammon's trial of adaptively which he forbid me from participating in. Fong's trial of leadership was entertainment for me. Letting those kids run around after Fong was just too fun to interfere. Especially with Hibari's interference at the end.

For Aria's trial I followed the group around in normal clothing to blend into the crowd. 'This trial has no flare.'

I lend up against the wall of the clothing shop that they went into, sipping some of my strawberry milk tea. 'Aria of the Giglio Nero Famiglia, huh? They're the other half of the Millefoire that combined with the Gesso Famiglia. If she wasn't the Sky Arcobaleno it probably would have been easier to kill her now. It's also extremely disturbing how she's a splitting image of her mother from the picture Mammon showed me. I wonder what happen to Luce? Though I do suppose that there is something special coming off of Aria. Perhaps she could see the future too. How nice. To be able to predict the future. Not even Mammon could do that.' I took another sip watching the group leave the store with Sawada struggling with their bags.

I pushed myself off the wall and followed from a short distance. 'Seems like someone wants to flip the roles of stalker and stalkee.' I turned the corner into the space between 2 stores. I stopped walking and ducked before the weapon could hit that back of my head.

"What are you doing?" Hibari Kyoya. Out of all the people that I could run into. I found the pipe that he hit suffered a nasty dent. I turned around finding that his weapons were still in defensive position. "You've been following that group for a while now. What are planning to do?"

"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just enjoying my day until you came and attacked me. You know for the 'peace keeper of Namimori', you sure are fast to excuse innocent people." I crossed my arms. Sure, I wasn't innocent, but he didn't need to know that.

"Innocent people cannot tell when they're being followed nor when an attack is aimed at them." He didn't give me a second before attacking once more. I blocked his tonfa with my right hand, pushing him back a little. 'Ouchhhh! That fucking hurt you bastard! Ohh I so want to stab you right now!' I mentally screamed.

"Wow. Innocent people can't do that either." I finished my drink and threw it into the nearest trash can.

"Listen Kyoya-kun." His eyes narrowed at the sudden change in honorifics. "You know as well as I do that the group that I was following was not full of normal people. I don't plan on disturbing your peace if that's what you're worrying about. Just know that I am a helper for now and leave that be. I have absolutely no business with you, specifically."

"And how can I be sure about that?" Out of all of the Vongola kids, Kyoya was the one to be the most concerned about. Not only was he strong, he had no limits. I had to give him some amazing evidence to show that I was on their side.

I sighed loudly taking out Fangs' box weapon. He recognized it as something we could get in the future and reasoned with himself that I came to this present time with them. I had to prioritize him not knowing about my blood above all that him knowing that I was Haunting Shadows was nothing in comparison. "Believe me now?"

He lowered his tonfas back into his coat. "I want you out of Namimori as soon as possible."

"Trust me, the moment I'm done my business I'm leaving this boring town." He scowled at me for insulting his town but, nonetheless, left me alone. I had a feeling that they only reason why he didn't push further was because he was smart enough to understand that everyone had their own secrets in our world.

'Damn it, I lost Sawada-san.' I rubbed the temples of my head. 'Stupid Vongola kids.'

From what I assumed Sawada did get his seal from Aria. Then came the most fearful Arcobaleno, Reborn.

He completely wiped out Sawada's family leaving without his approval. As expected of the world's greatest hit man. In the afternoon I decided to visit Sawada to see how his recovery was going. I arrived to the beach where a series of machines invaded the beach. 'Pawn rockets? Looks like Verde is making his move. Of course he waited for them to be weaken by Reborn.'

I took out my staff and threw it at pawn rocket that was directed to the Vongola kids. The blade hit the core with enough force to make it explode. I jumped down from the ledge, catching my staff before it hit anyone. Sasagawa and Yamamoto just barely made it in time to protect Gokudera from a small tank. Their injuries must have been more severe than I thought.

"Why don't you boys take a nap? I'll take it from here." Gokudera clicked his tongue at me. I rushed up to the 2 left over mini tanks. I skillfully dodged the bullets making my way to one's backside. I used the staff's blade to slice upwards, cutting it open.

One piece of debris made its way at me, using my staff as a baseball bat I pitched it at another pawn rocket. I jumped on to the top of the next machine, jamming the blade into the head piece, prying it off. The explosion gave me enough momentum to flip off, dragging my feet back. I came to a stop in time to catch a falling Chrome before she could hit the ground.

"T-thank you." Chrome uttered as I placed her down.

"Extreme." Escaped from Sasagawa's mouth.

"Who would have guessed we would turn out like this?" Verde's voice came on my ear communicator. It wasn't surprising that he could hack the mask's com tech considering that he was the one that made the mask in the first place.

"My missions over your experiments. No hard feelings." Looking over to the Verde talking to Sawada I realized that version of Verde was either a robot or a hologram.

"None at all. In fact, I have a special animal for you." Verde's platform released a variety of Lightning animals. I looked up at the crackling sound above me. A Lightning King Jellyfish that could easily cover the whole beach floated directly over my head. "You still specialize in close combat, right?" 'Damn it. He knows my fighting style too well. If I even tried to cut this thing's tentacles I'll get electrocuted.'

"Don't worry about me. Your main concern should be on Sawada-san." I rolled to the side avoiding a series of tentacles. 'I only have a Sun and Mist ring. Fangs is out of the question unless I want Verde to ask where I got such advanced technology. That just leaves my gun.' I slipped my staff back into its place and unhooked my gun. I leaped backwards avoiding another stinger. 'I only have one reload so I'll have to shoot wisely.'

I jumped back a few meters and shot 3 bullets at its core. They did nothing but bounce off. 'Damn Lightning hardening factor.' I continued to duck, dodge, and jump out of the way of each stinger. 'This is even more annoying than Avvoltio Vuvola.' Without knowing it I ended up in the water.

I gripped my gun harder. 'There's something moving in the water.' A squid's tentacle emerged from the water approaching Chrome. I shot at the arm drawing its attention over to me. With my only other option being to jump into the King Jellyfish's stingers, I couldn't get out of the reach of the squid letting it dangle me upside from my foot. At the same time it managed to grab Chrome as well. I first shot at the tentacle holding Chrome then mine, neither of the arms loosing. 2 shots were fired at the squid's eyes only angering it further to tighten its grip. My last bullet went to the jellyfish's persistent stinger to make it keep its distance. It was only because Skull's octopus' intervention that I was able to make my escape.

I quickly reloaded my gun not having enough time to fully dodge the stinger. It only brushed my left arm but that was enough to paralyze my entire arm. 'Dammit! As if the recoil wasn't enough, now I have to deal with this!' I punched the electrocuted arm to try and get some feeling back. My shooting arm didn't think that was a good idea considering that pain from the recoil was starting to take effect.

'Damn it to hell! How does Xanxus-sama do this all the time?!' A light bulb went off in my head. 'That's it!' I put on Fran's borrowed Mist ring, letting the flames seep into the magazine. I grounded my right foot and pushed myself off, circling around the jellyfish. I took 4 shots around its head, however this time with Mist bullets. Using my illusions, I made the bullets grow to the size of basketballs, all puncturing its crown.

'Box weapons have a mind of their own, right Squalo-sama?' As long as the victim fell for the illusion, anything could happen their mind and body. Even create massive holes from tiny bullets. The jellyfish lost its structure reducing it to a pile of goo. I shook my arm a bit before slipping my gun back on it holder. 'Good thing that was just a prototype.'

I finished in time to see all of the Arcobaleno arrive. In my eyes, Verde and I had one over powering characteristic that we both shared. Stubbornness. Verde captured the Arcobaleno by showering a green powder on them and were holding them as hostages towards Vongola. On top of it all, he used a vacuum to suck out the group's flames, adding to their injuries. Using the flames he stole, he created a lobster for each person to take on. I took aim at the green ball that continued to sprinkle his Non-Tri-Ni-Sette policy powder on the Arcobaleno. Whatever that was.

Unfortunately, since my handgun wasn't built with the special metal that could handle Dying Will Flames, like Xanxus's, causing my gun to malfunctioned. 'Seriously! Now?' I hit the hilt of the gun my paralyzed arm. 'Stupid gun.' I heard an unknown part of my gun shake from the inside. Over with the rest of the group, they struggled to make a dent in either or their lobsters.

'If Yamamoto-san's sword couldn't cut through the lobster then neither could my staff blades. Injecting Mist flames could also ruin the sensors in the staff.' I did the next best thing and threw the gun at Gokudera's lobster, distracting it long enough for him to roll out of the Lobster's claw range. He looked back at me looking a little angry that he had to resort to my help. As he opened his mouth to rebuttal I called out his Boss.

"Sawada Tsunayoshi." Sawada struggled to somewhat turn his head in my direction while, still holding back his lobster with the little flames on his gloves. "Your comrades are all beaten up and continue to fight and you still insist on playing safe? Do you understand what it means to carry the Vongola rings? You lack the resolve to fight for your comrades, for this world."

I said, quoting Reborn's words from his trial. Sawada's eyes widen slightly as he took in my words. I could feel the air change from his flames rising in pressure. "I... I... I want to... protect everyone!" I felt myself grin at Sawada destroying his lobster.

'If only he acted like this during Reborn's trial.' One by one his guardians regained their strength enough to stand their ground. Once Sawada destroyed the green powder machine Mammon was able to dispel his illusion of the Arcobaleno. I figured that they could handle themselves and borrowed Mammon from the group.

"Where are you going?" Mammon asked.

"Verde's a genius but he could also be very predictable." I knew that Verde placed a decoy out to distract Sawada, yet he wouldn't leave his less than perfected experiments unattended. He gave me enough time to pin his location to that rock island near his fake platform. "We need boats."

Using a few covering illusions and telekinesis, we 'borrowed' 2 row boats. By the time we came back Sawada already destroyed the robot and was discussing where the real Verde was. "Maybe he isn't in Namimori."

"No. He's nearby." I noticed Reborn lower his fedora at Sawada's unconsciously using his Vongola intuition.

"If Tsuna says that, he probably is." Reborn said. They followed Sawada's eyes towards the bumpy rock island.

"That's bumpy rock where we use to swim and race." Gokudera stated.

"Sawada-san." I pointed at the boats that Mammon settled into the water. He nodded a thanks at me before he and his guardians filled a boat with the Arcobaleno in the other. Not having enough room I decided to stay behind on shore.

The island soon crumbled and I could see the row boats making their way back. "How'd it go, Verde?"

Kaiman crawled out of the water with Verde, in a water suit, on his back. "I gave my seal, isn't that enough?"

"Yeah. I'll provide you some cover before Reborn and the others catch up." Verde chuckled a bit and pushed his glasses up.

"You're trying to get on my good side." He said as a statement rather than a question. I lit my Mist ring and bent down to pet Kaiman.

"I still need jobs after all."

"Viper is rubbing off on you."

"Live with Varia long enough and they'll do the same to you." I covered Verde and Kaiman in Mist flames teleporting them near the outskirts of Namimori.

"Until the next time." He said as he evaporated. Soon after, the others made it back to land. Sawada begged Reborn for a second chance at his trial which he denied. Sawada had already proven his resolve for his family and that was more than enough for Reborn's approval.

"Good grief are we finally done?" Mammon asked. Without any response towards his question, he transported us to the alleyway that Bel was waiting in.

"You guys done yet?"

"Yeah I'm never working for free again." I chuckled as they had light banter. 'It's nice to hear them act so playful.'

"I still have a few things I have to wrap up here. You two can go ahead." I didn't take off my mask. I couldn't look at them knowing that I was lying.

"So you weren't here only for the Arcobaleno trials. What more could Reborn being doing with you."

"I-I'm bonded by Omertá." That one word cause both of them to frown. They didn't dare speak against the top Mafia code. It was a taboo rule that no one could defile, not even Varia. Yet it was probably the idea that I was keeping a secret from them that bothered Bel the most. Bel sighed throwing his hands behind his head.

"Whatever. Let's just head back, Monte." I smiled at Bel lifting the mood.

"Don't call me that." I held Mammon in my arms.

"Now that I think about it. Bel, what's with calling yourself Himeko? Was that a joke meant for me?"

"Ushishishi. It was just a coincidence." From the grin on his face it was obviously not a coincidence. He was probably just messing around with me anyways.

I dropped Mammon and Bel off at the airport before returning to my hotel suite. Without turning on the lights, I flopped backwards onto the bed. I let out a hefty sigh and rolled over a couple of times. I just couldn't get comfortable with the idea of me lying to them. It may be for a good reason but they were still the ones I trusted the most. It wasn't like I knew specific details that could change their lives or anything.

I clutched my locket underneath my shirt. 'Sure I'm bonded by Omertá in a sense but that doesn't change the fact that I'm keeping a secret that could change the way we view the world. I mean I traveled to the future for god's sake and I can't even tell anyone!? Irie-san better have a good plan or I'll skin him alive.'

The next morning I traveled back into the future ahead of the rest of the group with Kyoya following after. After all this drama of the trials I was expecting an easy win from Byakuran but one of Squalo's teaching was to never underestimate your enemy. Byakuran's ace was the Real Funeral Wreaths, a group of insane creatures that bare the true Mare rings.

"Oy Shadows let me speak to the brats." My ear communicator spoke with Squalo's voice.

"The connection on my mask isn't the best over long distances." I caught the group's attention for talking to myself.

"I DON'T CARE! PUT ME ON!" I winced a bit. 'Stupid shark.'

"Sawada-san, incoming message." I flipped on the speaker that blasted Squalo's screams. But, like I predicted the connection was too weak for them to talk for long, cutting Varia offline after Xanxus put in a few words of 'encouragement'.

After a one sided conversation of our soon battle, we returned to the Vongola underground base. Following Reborn's instructions we were to all take a few days break before Choice. We managed to recruit CEDEF's Basil, Chrome's trust and gained mobility with Vongola air bikes. Tomorrow would be the start of training.

During my time here, I remained in my room for the most part. I only stepped out to get food and shower, but with my mask on, late at night, with no one around. Tonight was no different as I ate dinner in my room after Sawada's box weapon almost killed him. I would have helped but it was Sawada's own fault for opening the box with such wavering feelings. Box weapons didn't even consume humans so he would have been fine for the most part.

An explosion shook the ground once more making me drop my spoon. 'Did he seriously not learn his lesson the first time?' I didn't have time to pick up my spoon before the door burst open. Something sticky wrapped around my waist when I was enveloped in darkness as my conscious fell.

I pushed on the walls surrounding me when it started to crack open. I found myself in the middle of the dining hall with the kids, and myself, in eggs. Apparently Bucking Dino's box weapon got loose swallowing us one by one. I shook my head at his stupidity. I've only heard stories of Dino's clumsiness from Squalo but I didn't think it could have been to this extent. I had to admit though, I did feel lighter from his box weapon's ability.

"Um who are you?" I scanned the room to find who Sawada was talking to when I realized that everyone was looking at me. My hands were brought to my bare face. 'Shoot! I left my mask when the turtle ate me.'

I climbed out of my egg dusting myself of egg shards. I cleared my throat, "I never formally introduced myself." I bowed as the guardians stood in ready position. "My name is Cel-" I hesitated. My last name was a direct association of the Celeste Family. If Reborn heard it, it would have left him to investigate their deaths along with Ninth. I couldn't let them get any hints about me living nor about Varia's involvement. "Natsuki, but you have already familiarized yourselves with the name Haunting Shadows."

The group blinked a couple of times before fully understanding the situation. "A-ah sorry Natsuki-san I just didn't imagine Shadows to be a girl." Sawada said while scratching the back of his head.

"Xanxus-sama was very thorough in making sure my trail was clean. I won't be explaining more about my history so if you will excuse me." I turned on my heel to return to my room when Kyoko called me out.

"Why don't you eat dinner with us? We made plenty of extra food for Dino-san's welcome party." I bit my lip a little.

"It's fine. I already have food back in my room." I was already feeling nervous in their presence without my mask. One would think that after being with Varia so long I would have gotten over my shyness but it was strange to be with anyone I wasn't familiar with.

I sighed heavily when the door closed behind me. 'How can I threaten people on a daily basis yet not know how to talk a bunch of middle schoolers? They're younger than me too. How pathetic. At least I don't need to wear my mask around the base now. Ugh Xanxus-sama is going to scold me once he finds out. ' I stopped in front of my room once I saw the amount of damage from Dino's turtle. I kicked some of the debris aside with my foot. 'Looks like I need to find a new room.'

I stepped lightly over rumble, crouching by the bed side where shards of the broken plate were littered. I carefully gathered up the pieces in my hand. My stomach grumbled looking at the food that fell on the floor.

"Um Sha- Natsuki-san?" Tsunayoshi's voice broken through the silence.

"Is there something you need?" I continued to pick up the shards not really caring for him.

"I-I know that you have food already but Kyoko-chan and Haru are really eager to meet you. And you can call me crazy but it sounded like you were a bit troubled. We won't mind if you join us, its no problem." Curse Vongola intuition.

"Sawada-san, I only have two conditions to cooperate with you." I stood up in front of Tsunayoshi. "First off, no one is to question my background. Understood?"

"I can't say anything about Reborn but I'll try to control everyone else." There was an intentional pause in our conversation for me to properly plan out my next move. "The second condition?"

"If you please, hold out your hands in front of you." He looked confused but listened away. I dumped the shards of plate, that I picked up, into his hands. He was startled enough to release all of the plate fragments onto the floor, earning him 2 cuts on his hands. "That's the second condition."

I looked at the blood starting to build up on the cuts. "I will help you, but never forget who I am. You may call me Natsuki but I am, also, one of Varia's top members, Haunting Shadows. I won't hesitant with murder even against you. This is your only warning."

Tsunayoshi took a step back and nodded. I dusted off my Varia jacket and mask that fell on the floor. Fortunately, they were placed on the opposite wall from of door that they didn't break from the incident. I draped the jacket over my arm and held on to the mask.

"Then shall we, Tsunayoshi-kun?" He seemed a bit surprised that I moved to first name basis but it was only natural since he didn't know my last name. I gestured for him to lead the way.

"I forgot to mention. We have a small surprise for you." Tsunayoshi stated.

"Surprise? How could you possibly prepare a surprise in such a short amount of time?"

"Well Reborn did most of the talking." Talking?

"VOOOOOI WHERE IS SHE?" I smiled a bit at the easily recognizable scream. I rushed towards the dining hall to see Squalo's face plastered on the big screen TV on the side wall.

"Squalo-sama!" Squalo's face was pushed out of the way by Bel.

"Ushishishi did you miss me, Hime?" Bel was pulled back by Lussuria who was crushed by Fran.

"Nat-chan how are you? Are you eating properly? Are you injured anywhere? Have been keeping up your training?" Lussuria asked while trying to shove the others.

"Guys just back off the screen." They didn't listen and continued to throw each other like children. 'I swear sometimes I'm the only mature one.'

"I'm fine Lussuria. If you wouldn't mind can you do me a favor by fetching my jewelry box. The one that Mammon got for my 16th birthday. It should be on my desk."

"I'm on it!" Lussuria's face disappeared off the screen causing the others to fall at his sudden movement. I face palmed.

"I told you guys to back up." I mumbled to myself. They once more started to argue for jabbing each other.

Lussuria ignored the arguing pile, holding the box in front of the camera. "Here it is!"

"Fran, do you remember the spell I taught you?" I yelled to get his attention off their argument. Fran shoved the others off of him, pushing Bel's knee into Squalo's stomach. He nodded.

"Then please transport my box here." A few seconds later I heard a loud thump, behind me followed by Lambo's crying. I completely forgot about their presence for the most part. Since I couldn't handle needy brats like Lambo, I left it to the girls to calm him down with some candy and soft words. After he settled down, Haru handed me my box.

"Nice to meet you Natsuki-chan. I'm Miura Haru-desu."

"Likewise Miura-san." I took the box out of her hands. Opening it up I found all the components still intact. "Good job, Fran."

"Wow what pretty rings, Natsuki-chan. Oh I'm sorry for looking without permission. I'm Sasagawa Kyoko." She had appeared right behind looking at all the jewelry that future me had collected.

"It's quite alright, Sasagawa-san. You have a good eye though. These rings are very valuable in my work place." What Kyoko didn't know was that the rings she spotted where actually battle rings. I asked Fran to bring them over so that I could use all of my flames without my Rose ring. My Sky flames were meant to be a secret after all. I could have borrowed rings from Vongola but overall I felt more comfortable with my own Varia rings.

Looking at the box I thought about Mammon. It was unlikely that the Arcobaleno curse was broken so I couldn't see an older Mammon yet I couldn't help wanting to see his reaction to my present self. "Nee Squalo-sama, did Mammon come back yet?"

"Not yet! He reported back that his job will take a little longer than expected!" Squalo said back while trying to cut the knife out of Bel's hand. I felt Reborn's glare on my back. I merely brushed it off as a little Arcobaleno feud glare.

"I see." This mission must have been something if Mammon was taking so long. I heard the familiar creek of the main door opening.

"What do you mean Shadows' identity was found out?" A well-known shiver went down my spine as Xanxus and Levi appeared on the screen.

"Good afternoon, Xanxus-sama." He didn't look happy at me trying to cover up the fact that I was holding my mask rather than wearing it. "It wasn't my intention. Blame the Bucking Horse!"

I pointed at Dino who had noodles hanging out of his mouth. He quickly slurped it up, clearing his throat. "Nice to see you again, Xanxus." Dino gave his charismatic smile, playing the image of a professional boss.

Xanxus was not one to fall for his boyish charms and ignored him. "The last time we talked?"

"Y-yes. I remember." I knew that the last time we talked was his warning that no one should know about my past. He nodded and took his seat at the head of the table. I released a sigh of relief causing the others to chuckle at me. I even caught a few of the Vongola kids smiling as well. I could understand why. With my mask on, I probably scared them and my reputation only made it worse. To see me act so natural with Varia was, somewhat, reassurance to them that I had human emotions.

I settled myself into a chair when Kyoko handed me a plate. When night and the fullness of one's stomach had taken over, the girls and I decided to clean up. No, we had not bonded over the night. We merely had an understanding. Kyoko and Haru mutually accepted that I would be closed off while I understood that they were good people. We talked on first name basis with the suffix of 'chan' so that we wouldn't be awkward or unbalanced. It was as simple as that.

"You can enter the bath before us Natsuki-chan. We'll clean up." Haru suggested as I was helping gather the plates, while the rest of the kids rested in their seats trying to digest their food.

"Are you sure? That's a lot of dishes." With the addition of Dino, Basil, and me there was an abundant of food made and still leftover.

"We can handle it. Go ahead." I placed a stack of plates into the sink.

"Well if you're sure..." 'They're offering right? It would be rude to keep declining. But its also rude to leave them all this work, especially since I ate as well. Nonetheless they are nice people who probably want me to rest. However, they made the meal in the first place so they would be tired as well, they probably needed to rest as well. On the other hand, I'm still an outsider so they don't want me around. Maybe they could be trying to bond with me by suggesting that I should go so that I could decline. This could be a test of character. Or-'

"NATSUKI!" Squalo snapped me out of my trance. I retracted my hand that almost touched the sponge.

"Yes?"

"Nat-chan, they mean it." I felt myself blush a little hearing Bel laugh in the background. It was embarrassing having them call me out on my overthinking but I knew that I really needed them to reel me in. I awkwardly rubbed the back of my neck.

"I guess you're right, thanks. Good night guys." I turned over to the girls. "I'll be heading first then."

They nodded at me while picking up some more dishes. I grabbed the handle of my jewelry box and exited the dinning hall. 'I should tell Giannini-san about getting me a new room too. He returned to the control room ahead of everyone else so I'll probably find him there.' I took the detour from my room to the control room. Giannini was working hard on the base for Choice that he didn't notice me until I knocked.

"Ah Shadows-san, how can I help you?"

"Dino's box destroyed the door to my room so I'll need a new one. Either a door or room, doesn't matter."

"Of course." He brought up the blueprints of the base onto the TV screen behind him. "Hmm. There's an empty room in section D, room 4. That's near the other girl's rooms too so Juudaime will worry less in an emergency. Dino-san would need a new room too. Would you mind telling him he can move to section C, room 2?"

"I'll do that." I left Giannini for the dining hall. It didn't take long for me to hear them talking through the walls.

"It's been over a year, how could Natsuki not know?" I stopped at Reborn's voice.

"The future her didn't take it well so it was the best decision to keep it from this version." 'Squalo-sama? What are they talking about?' I lend in closer, careful not to let the sensors detect me.

"His killer was never found. If she ever found out that we let his killer escape, she would do everything to find him. May even return to the past to kill them before they could do anything. We couldn't risk Natsuki doing anything rash." 'Someone died? I guess that shouldn't be a surprise since we work in a dangerous business. Why would they keep that from me?'

"Our only lead was Fantasma's leftover skin." I felt my heart drop. 'Fanatasma... Don't tell me...'

"He only made Fantasma shed in desperate measures. With the loss of contact, we only assumed the worse." 'No. No. You said you had contact. That he reported about his mission earlier. You know I hate when you lie! Why would you do it again?' My breath became shallow, feeling the room spin. I felt myself stagger yet I couldn't figure out if I was leaning against the wall.

"2 months later, Reborn was by our door step. That day we pronounced Mammon dead." I clutched my locket, slightly pounding my chest to help me breathe. 'Mammon died? No. He was murdered. Fantasma's missing... The killer was never found.' The door slid open with a panicked Tsunayoshi coming to check up on me. With blurred vision, I saw that I dropped my box and mask. Tsunayoshi must have heard me dropped it.

"Natsuki-san, are you okay?" He brought a hand up to comfort me. I pushed him aside, scrambling to pick up the shiny metals that spilled from the box. I threw a handful into the box and ran away from Varia screaming for me to wait.

I slammed the door shut, locking it tightly behind me. I was either in the room Giannini gave me or the one next to it but I couldn't care to check. I fell to my knees, holding my ears to block out the sound of the machines that surrounded the base. 'Shut up! Shut up! Everything needs to stop!' I tried to convince myself that they were joking around. That they were faking Mammon's death like when he died with his Viper name. But I couldn't deny the fact that there was always something off with this future. Fran being a replacement, avoiding Mammon's name, the tension when I asked questions. 'I should have known.'

Warm tears slid down my face onto Mammon's gift. With the dim light from the hall, the jewelry lit the room a bit brighter. On the bottom of the box was a small crack. 'No, no, no! This can't be broken!' I used my sleeve to dry my tears to get a better look at the crack. As I touched the crack, I felt a presence was leaking out. There was a strong pull of Mist flames. My fingers pried open the wood not caring that I cut myself. My fingers grabbed the edge of an object and pulled it out. A box weapon?

I scrambled with the pile of rings for a Sky ring, quickly injecting it into the box. It didn't open. A Sky flame should have been able to open any box. I tried my other elements ending with the same result. I dropped my head in defeat.

My eyes widen a bit looking down at the ring by my knees. I still had my Rose ring left. Using it would end up breaking the box but if a Sky flame couldn't open it, I declared it already broken. I took a few deep breaths to calm my nerves.

Looking at my Mist flames only reminded me more of him. My flame grew larger in thought of determining what was in the box. I inserted my flames letting a blinding white light fill the room.

When my eyes adjusted, I saw that the lid had popped open. I tilted the box to peek inside. My grip tighten when I saw the contents. It was wrapped tightly in a Mammon chain but there was doubt that it was the real thing.

An Arcobaleno pacifier.