DISCLAIMER I DO NOT OWN KATEKYO HITMAN REBORN
Kyoko's POV
Xanxus glared at Haru and I. I bit my lip, not knowing how I should start to respond. Apparently this journal in Haru's hands was more meaningful than something she left behind for them. I tighten my hold on I-pin in my arms seeing him open his mouth.
"You're the leader that Fia assigned?" I was confused as to who Fia was but nodded. He looked over us from toes up. "You all reek of poison. Mammon, take them to Fia's quarters so that they can change clothes and shower. Bel, Squalo head to the separate hideout. Check for any clues she may have left behind. Lussuria, take Fong and the apprentice to the sick bay."
He turned his neck to give a side view to Natsuki's squadron. The atmosphere around him changed, shaking me to the core. "I want you five in my office, immediately."
The men nodded in sync, finally rising to their feet. He walked pass them going inside the building first. Only once he had past everyone did they move. The five men followed Leviathan inside, passing side glances towards Natsuki's other friends. Bel handed Mammon her jacket and mask and jumped away with Squalo to, what I assumed, go to their second hideout. The two remaining walked over to us. Lussuria went to the car lifting Fong into his arms without any trouble. He then walked over to me. I placed I-pin on top of the body, having her small body lie on her master's stomach.
Mammon stood in front of the three of us as the last one. "Follow me."
He seemed to have float, guiding us through the maze of hallways. The idea that this extravagant place was essentially Natsuki's house was mind blowing. Her room was even more impressive. Having a full king size bed to herself, a view of her garden, a full bathroom to herself and a walk-in-closet. The room was probably big enough for her to do some exercises in here if she wanted. And here I thought that the building in Japan was jaw dropping.
"Take a shower and use Natsuki's clothing." He went over to her desk that was neatly organized reaching for the white box on shelf above it. He brought it onto the table top, opening the two drawers and main opening. He seemed to rummage though the pieces of jewelry, looking for something.
"Um is that okay?" I asked implying both to use her clothes and for him looking through her possessions. He closed the box, returning it to it's rightful spot.
"She's not coming back anyways." His sentence was short and concise. Maybe if I was Natsuki I could have guessed what he wanted to say behind them. I sneaked a quick glance at Mammon's hands. He didn't hold anything in them meaning that he didn't take anything out. I couldn't help but wonder what he was checking for. "I suggest remaining here until someone gets you."
He didn't speak any more and left us behind in the room. We awkwardly stood there, not use to the environment. Bianchi coughed to clear her throat. "You guys should shower first. I wouldn't want my poison to start affecting you."
"You go first Kyoko-chan. You were the one to help free us earlier." I didn't have reason to argue and went in first.
We all took relatively fast showers, making sure to wipe ourselves clean all of the sweat and poison off of us. Natsuki's clothes were comfortable fitting, even having some bigger sweaters for Bianchi to put on. Though I felt that each of us wanted to sleep, we all stayed awake.
More than anything, I wanted to read Natsuki's journal. They hadn't taken it away from us that left it in our care. I think that the idea that I could learn more about what she was planning was what drew me to it. I couldn't explain it but there was a pull that Haru and I felt towards it.
I inwardly jumped when someone knocked on the door. Levi had come to escort us to the meeting room. We were brought to what looked like a dinning hall with all of Natsuki's friends sitting on one side. On the other side was her squadron. I was relieved to see that they were alive after the way that Xanxus was glaring holes into them.
"Kyoko-chan! Haru!" I looked at the laptop at the head of the table. Tsuna had his face pushed off the small screen, replaced by my brother.
"Kyoko! Are you okay?!" Brother asked in a panic manner. I giggled at him taking a seat on the opposite side of Varia with Natsuki's squadron.
"I'm fine Onii-chan. If anything Natsuki-chan's training left more bruises on us than the enemy could." Reborn pulled him off the screen to sit back. Now it was Tsuna and him in the middle of the screen with our friends slash his guardians surrounding him.
"Speaking of Natsuki, from what Leviathan says she has switched sides. Would any of the members like to comment on that? If not, then she will be seen as a threat and will be taken down as such." Reborn looked straight into the camera giving off his intimating presence.
"Reborn-kun, you shouldn't-" I stopped seeing him turn his head to me.
"Be harsh? Do you realize that she's an enemy at this point? She knows each of our battle techniques and has access to multiple resources. We need to hear the full story or we could all die." I sank deep into my seat. He was right though. I couldn't argue that Natsuki was a formidable opponent. With or without the special rings they had.
"Unus, Duo, Mammon establish a mental link." Xanxus ordered. Mammon stood up, floating behind the two men. I panicked as the room changed. I shot up from my seat seeing that we were now in some hallway. Bianchi placed a hand on mine and Haru's shoulders. The computer connected to Tsuna was being held up so that they could view it as well.
"Relax you two. It's just an illusion. Most likely it's Unus and Duo's combined memories being shown to us." I looked at the door in front of us, slowly taking my seat. From our surroundings it resembled the hiding base in Japan. I looked at the two men standing near us. Another copy of Unus and Duo knocked on the door.
"Come in." Natsuki's familiar voice come through. They walked into the room with Natsuki sitting inside. It was a small meeting room with her sitting by a small table. Its hasn't been a day since we've last seen her but I already felt that she was so distance from us.
"Thank you for coming so quickly. Please join me. Have you had a chance to read my report?" She gestured towards the chairs positioned around the table. The two men took their seats and poured themselves some tea.
"Yes. All of it seems overwhelming. This enemy, their power, you're up against something dangerous Natsuki." She nodded along, picking up her cup.
"Before I explain my plan, tell me, as my squadron, do you believe in me?" The two of them glanced at each other. Their eyes met with determination turning back to her.
"You've never lead us astray in the past. We trust in your decision." She chuckled at the two of them. Her presence shifted as she got serious.
"Say, what do we know about our opponent? Lay all the information on the table. Main point that I want to hear. Their goal. What do you think of it?"
"This person is trying to collect the Arcobaleno pacifiers by any needs necessary. They have the power to attack the Vendice and keep Fong-san in captivity."
"They tend to frequent hiring free lancers. Probably as a way to keep everything to themselves. It shows that they have something big on hold and one of them being money. Their goal? Points to the Tri-Ni-Sette." Natsuki set her cup down.
"Think again because it seems we have different ideas." All of us were confused. I didn't understand much about the Tri-Ni-Sette only the fair bit. The Arcobaleno, Tsuna, Natsuki and our enemy had a part of this super strong force that helped control the Earth's balance. I couldn't see any other goal that could be possible. Even Varia was mildly intrigued.
"What else could it be? They hold one of the strongest objects on the Earth. What more could they want?"
"That's what's throwing me off. The reason why humans can not wield it is due to it being too draining. The Arcobaleno, Vongola and Mare bearers can only do so because it's only a seventh of it's true capabilities. Thus in the other manner, the enemy has enough strength to easily attack one of them. Retrieving a hostage was unnecessary."
"When you put it that way, it does sound a bit suspicious. What other reason could they have for picking on so many people? With the show off of power and resources without any stated goal, it's almost like they're purposefully starting to declare war with us." She snapped her fingers in approval.
"Precisely Unus. That's the kind of alternatives that I want to hear. Now answer me this, with who? Vongola, Arcoableno or Mare?" Duo cocked his head a little.
"None. If we go off of what they've done so far, the most likely target is you, Natsuki."
"Now the two are starting to catch on." She nodded, proud of her men. I couldn't follow the story, however. They kept thinking outside of the box to something that I thought we knew. Why would Natsuki find it weird that the enemy's target was the Tri-Ni-Sette? Everything matched up to her Stelle ring if anything.
"Not to insult you but do you know why? I mean, you're a lovely lady but to do so much to pull you to their side seems much. Attacking the Vendice as a big show to capture everyone's attention, picking fights with the Arcobaleno to show that they're not afraid, attacking your men. What do they gain from provoking you? The most would be your ring but they seem uninterested from what you say."
"That's the part I haven't figured out yet. All I know is that the only time I've ever seen them without other assassins was that night at the plane. For some reason they found the need to give their offer in person when the notebook containing so many answers was in my hands. They could have easily taken me. Even though they knew me past my Shadows' mask they didn't move to attack me in any way. They know too much about me that I can't put my finger as to why."
"Then why is it necessary for us to know about this? It's unlike you to state anything irrelevant. Regardless of their goal, Decimo still desires for the prisoners to be freed." Natsuki bit her lip.
"That's why I asked if you believed in me upon your entrance. The next part that I'm going to discuss must remain inside my squadron and no one else. Only until I-pin and Fong have been secured."
They remained quiet. She took in a deep breath, not needing to hear any confirmation from them. "Later today I will force Tsunayoshi-kun to hand over custody of Kyoko-chan, Haru-chan and Bianchi-san so that I can train them to extract Fong. After reading Checkerface's journal, I'm going to need you guys to help with I-pin. All of you."
"All of us?" Duo questioned. It was the way that Natsuki emphasized it that made it sound like there were more people to her plan.
"The Stelle ring and Buco Nero ring are opposite by nature. Like yin and yang. There needs to be a balance. Where they bring destruction, mine brings restoration. In theory, I can use my Stelle flames to heal our fallen members. It's the last thing I should do with my life." My eyes widened hearing her. They both shot up from their seats not having her flinch at the sudden movement.
"Your life?! What are you referring to? If healing Tribus and the others will kill you then we will focus on finding another way." She calmly shook her head at them.
"It's not that." She whispered. They lost the anger in them, sitting back down. Noticeably closer to her.
"Like I said there needs to be a balance. As long as one of rings is in use so must the other. With that power, I doubt they would give it up so easily."
"So you're going to suicide to force them to retire their powers?" I gasped loudly, covering my mouth.
"This will be my final mission. I hope that I can have your support one more time." Tears were brimming in her eyes, not letting them fall. They each placed a hand on her shoulder. I sat in amazement of their relationship. Outside of their missions they didn't speak. That didn't change that they were aware of everything about one another. Even reliving their memories of them, I didn't feel as if we were in the same room.
They retracted their hands, kneeling in front of her. "There's nothing we can say to change your mind?"
She stood up, clutching something underneath her shirt. "Either way, in the end, the two rings of Stelle and Buco Nero must fall. Elena's final words in the journal. I wish I could change that."
Slowly, the scene melted away and we were back at the Varia headquarters' office. No one spoke for while. It was kind of hard to process all the information that was thrown at us. Natsuki's betrayal had already done a toll on our beliefs on her. Her revealed actions were not hinted in any way prior to today. I couldn't help feeling guilty at not realizing. I saw how hard she was trying. I should have pushed further.
"With that Natsuki started her training with these girls during the day and strengthen her flames at night. When it came down to the mission the five of us were used for one of two purposes. Roam the premises so that we could rendezvous with the girls or retrieve the apprentice after she proposed her life in exchange. Once we got her, she was going to end it all."
"S-so N-Nat-chan? Sh-she's-" Lussuria with shaky hands started off. Even through his sunglasses I could tell that he was pleading to the Varia men.
Thankfully the two shook their heads. "There was one factor that stopped her. She couldn't bring herself to break the promise that she made with Belphegor-sama. In promise of their support she could not let anyone take her life. A last minute decision that even we don't know the full details to."
"That means she's alive!" I blurted out in glee. Haru held my hands, agreeing with me. Yet, not even Bianchi, seemed happy at the idea.
"You idiots." Leviathan commented.
"That can't be considered a good thing, Kyoko-chan." I looked to Tsuna's screen who did not meet with my relief.
"What do you mean? This means that she's not a traitor. It means that we can go back and rescue her. If this Tri-Ni-Sette thing is so dangerous and vital, then we can't leave her. She had good intentions. She got I-pin-chan and her master back. Why isn't this a good thing?"
"Because she's a Mafioso." I was at loss for words hearing him. This was the kind Tsuna that always forgave anyone. Why was this any different?
"Tsuna-kun... Don't you want to save her? Have you forgotten how many times she's helped us? Natsuki-chan's scary but she isn't as cold heart as she's imaged to be."
"Kyoko-chan is right! Tsuna-san we have to save her. Xanxus-san, we have training from her. We'll help you in any way possible to-" Haru was cut off by Tsuna slamming his hands on the desk, shaking the camera a little.
"I don't want to hear any more of you two fighting for her sake." Haru took half a step back from the computer. He gave out a sigh. "Xanxus-san I need to ask you for a favour... as the Vongola Neo-Primo."
Tsuna seemed to want to bite his tongue off from that title. I wanted to speak more to convince him more. I didn't say anything. Xanxus turned his to him, giving Tsuna his attention. "I ask that you use your resources to send these three back to Namimori as soon as possible."
I quickly realized what he was doing. He was making us come back so that we would have someone to keep a close eye on us. I know that he's just worried for us. I understood that. I couldn't understand why Natsuki wasn't on the same level. She was our friend.
"Seeing as the mission is over then we have no reason to keep them here. They'll stay in a separate hideout for the time being. We'll send them back as soon as the ones in the sick bay receive the okay." Tsuna looked at us apologetically. Not regretfully though. With that he ended the connection. Xanxus looked at our side of the table, jutting us out of the room.
"There is one more order that we were given that Sawada couldn't hear. If you allow me to present it now." I was about to move when Duo raised his hand.
Xanxus raised his suspensions but allowed him to approach. Duo fetched out an envelope handing it to him. Xanxus ripped open on side taking out the folded sheet inside. "Since Natsuki was ensured that she was going to die she left some what of a last message to you."
He raised his eyebrow, reading over the contents. It was a quick scan over when I saw him clutch the paper.
"What does it say Boss?" Squalo asked. The grip held on the paper loosened as he smirked.
"Sakurako is still living. Do what you want with this information." It looked like only the core members could understand what that message meant. 'Sakurako? Never heard that name before.'
The members smirked in their creepy fashion. Xanus stood up making the others follow, us copying them. "Find her."
"On it Boss." I felt myself smile.
"Are you going after her?" I asked hopefully. His glare wiped my foolish smile away.
"We're going after Sakurako. Fia is on her own." I stuttered in nodding to show that I understood. One by one the members left the room leaving us girls and Natsuki's former squadron alone.
"We'll take you guys back to the hideout that way you can relax." Unus took the lead to take us back to Natsuki's room.
"Hey, who's Sakurako?" Haru asked them. Tribus shrugged his shoulders
"We have no idea. She must be important for them to react that way. Natsuki left it as her last so we'll leave it as that. Prying further could create problems for us." They lead us back to Natsuki's room so that we could collect our few possessions. My eyes trailed off to the journal that we left on her bed.
I contemplated for a second before sneaking it under my clothes. I peeked at all of them, only seeing Haru noticing my actions. She didn't say anything against it.
We went back to the shack that Natsuki had originally taken us to at the beginning. It was a simple shack, one room with two beds and a bathroom. According to Natsuki is was just meant as a separate hideaway that they could go to mislead any trailers. It wasn't meant to be spectacular like other places so that it didn't matter if they abandoned for long periods of time.
"You guys should get some sleep. I'm going to talk over some details with her men." Bianchi told us as she stepped outside. Once the door closed behind her, Haru rushed to my side so that we could look at Natsuki's journal.
"Are you sure you should have taken that?" I held the book out.
"I don't know. They clearly didn't want anything more to do with her. Maybe if we read her journal then we can find something to convince them to reconsider. She must have written something serious or she wouldn't have left it with them." I flipped to the first page. Then the next. And the next.
I flipped through the entire book until I found a single world map with a pink dot somewhere in the middle of China. Haru took a hold of the other half of the book, flipping through the pages herself. "Looks like that's all. What do you think it means?"
"Maybe it's where Sakurako-san is! Natsuki-chan's smart so if this Sakurako person is anyone like her this could be a secret message towards Varia." I theorized.
"And since they threw this out, we're the only ones that knows about it. Maybe if we get to her we can do what Natsuki-chan did to Tsuna-san. We can tell them that if they want Sakurako then they'll need to rescue Natsuki-chan."
"Oh, but what if she agrees to Varia's ideas first?" Haru paced a bit around in a circle.
"What if we get to her first? Then we just need to convince her to at least not side with Varia for the time being." I took a glimpse out the small window at Bianchi outside.
"We'll then we need to leave tonight when Bianchi-chan is sleeping. We then need to convince Unus and them to help us." Haru nodded. I closed the book, hiding it under my pillow so that Bianchi wouldn't try to read it.
"Are you crazy? Forget what Sawada wants, Xanxus-sama will have our heads if we don't get you back to Japan in one piece." Quattor complained, quietly so that we didn't wake Bianchi inside the shack.
"We understand that this is a lot to ask for all of you, but you have to think, whoever this Sakurako girl is, she is the only one that we can depend on right now. This is the only clue that we have that Varia doesn't. We're only asking for a ride." I reasoned, holding my hands together.
"I'm sorry Sasagawa-san, Miura-san. This risk is too large. If this girl is anything like Natsuki then the chances of you two dying are extremely high. Without any idea as to who she is or what she can do, we don't even have confirmation that that map is the true thing."
"Then I'll shoulder the weight myself." I declared.
"Make that the two of us." Haru joined in.
"Natsuki wasn't one to care for risks in the end." Was all Duo commented. The five of them exchanged glances with one another. On the same wavelength, they looked like they came to a conclusion.
"Fine, we'll escort the two of you there and regardless of whether or not she's there, we will drop you back off in Japan afterwards. In return, the two of you will take full punishment. Is that a deal?" Unus suggested. The two of us nodded.
Unus spoke to the taxi driver in what sounded like Mandarin. He then turned to us. "That's as close as we can get to the mountain. You girls will have to take the rest on foot. Xanxus-sama must have found out by now so I'm going to the group to handle that for now. Return here as soon as possible and wait for one of us to come back."
We gave the driver our best attempt at saying thanks, moving to get out.
"Hey girls?" We stopped to look at him. "Try not to get killed. We don't know her backstory but death was a sensitive topic for Natsuki."
We nodded, stepping out. We looked up at the mountain then to the forest out in ahead of us. The car drove off, truly leaving us with nothing but what we had on us. It was still relatively early in the morning that I doubt that anyone would be in this remote part of the country. Apparently this mountain wasn't even favoured to be climbed on, for reasons we couldn't figure out.
"Too bad the map wasn't more specific." Haru joked to lighten our tension. I held to the book in my hands.
"Yeah. I'm sure we'll find our way though." We started walking on the non-existent path. Stepping over the rocky terrain, we were careful not to fall or trip over anything. Though I would be lying if the occasional animal didn't startle us.
We must have walked for an hour when we reached the base of the mountain. I cranked my head upwards, not seeing the peak. Natsuki may have trained us in a variety of situations. Mountain climbing, however, was not on the list. I scanned around the base looking for any clues as to how we can get up when something caught my eye.
I brushed aside Haru going in the opposite direction of me as I circled a bit around the base.
"Hey Kyoko-chan!"/ "Haru-chan!" We shouted simultaneously. I looked at the small triangle inside of the shield craving on the wall, curiously my fingers trailed over it.
"I think I found something! It feels like a button!" I shouted back at her.
"Same here! But it's not doing anything!" I heard her faintly shout back.
"Let's try pushing them at the same time! Ready?! 1, 2, 3!" I pushed onto the craving. I flinched back seeing the wall starting to shake. A part of the wall caved in. sliding to the side. I cautiously peeked my head inside. On the other end was Haru who was doing the same thing.
We both walked in, meeting in the middle. I opened my mouth to question everything when the wall beside us opened up. We were now getting scared, still advancing forward.
We were in a small room, bathed in the light of pink flames. The wall behind us slammed shut behind us, trapping us in. "Sorry for the scare. It's just a precaution."
We looked to the two pink flames forming. The flames settled down, leaving a boy and girl in it's place, both of them being strangely opaque. "What's happening? Who are you two?"
"Can you let us explain first? We're not enemies to you. In fact, we plan to help you." The boy slowly raised his hands in an innocent manner. I motioned for Haru to lower her hands from her sashes. If they were any way truthful we needed to establish the grounds of some sorts of agreement. The two of the didn't even look like they had any weapons on them. But then again, neither did Haru or I.
The boy gave sigh of relief. "I'm Ren and this is my twin sister, Lin. Unfortunately, we are not the Sakurako you are looking for."
"How did you know who we're looking for?" I asked in a skeptical manner.
"Well how else? We've been watching over you two." Lin said without any hesitation. "Ah, but I don't mean that in a creepy way. I just mean that we're kind of like ghosts that's been stalking you."
She smiled guiltless having her twin face palm himself. "What she means to say is that we were searching for a predecessor. We've decided to observe the two of you to see if you were fit for the role. That's what lead you to us today."
"Predecessor for what?" Haru questioned. Lin moved closer to us, scanning us from the foot up. There wasn't anything dangerous that screamed at me about them but there was defiantly something that was unreal about them. Maybe it was the fact that they were practically see through that contributed to that.
"Sasagawa Kyoko. Miura Haru. What do value most in this world? What drives the two you to go into enemy territory with little training? Why come to this remote mountain for someone you don't even know? We already know the answer from watching you, but let's see how you answer." Ren asked.
"I-pin-chan was there. That's all we needed to know, but about Sakurako..." Haru trailed off observing around us. I flashed her a smile to reassure her.
"It's because even without finding her here, I think that we were able to defy Tsuna-kun is show that we aren't to be dragged back to Namimori. Natsuki-chan's our friend. If she gave her life to prevent anymore harm to us, whether or not we get anyone's help, I think we'll still try."
"Would you like the power to do so?" My eyes widened at her blunt statement.
"Are you two Tri- Ni- Sette holders?" I pieced together.
"A bit different than the other leftover stones where we've split it in half for the two of us to share the title. We've chosen the two of you to be the new holders. If you choose to accept that is. Unlike Elena-san our powers don't necessarily need to be passed down, but the system being overthrown in such a manner. We've decided to act."
"Why us? We've only recently received training. We do want the power to help them, all of them. On the other hand, to hold something with same power as Natsuki-chan and Tsuna-san. It doesn't sound right."
"And yet those are the reasons why it should belong to you. Those roles that are place on rings are nothing but show of the powers it could possess. The ones that we've perfected was to protect. Our legacy left behind. Scudo meaning shield. No more fighting between the humans and our kind. To help put an end to all of it. To a certain extent, it does relate to the Vongola and Stelle rings that you fear for. Yet on no level does it mean that you are to use it in such an ill manner that you imagine."
I listened carefully, staring at the journal I was holding. "You said you wanted to stop all the fighting. Did you?"
The twins exchanged glances. "Well there is a reason why humans are the reigning species. A goal such as ours does not live without at least one sacrifice. There's a reason why all of our powers were sealed away for so long. It's not something that just anyone can play with."
"I want to help Natsuki-chan, Tsuna-kun, Onii-chan and everyone else. I don't want to be left in the dark anymore." I looked to Haru.
"I want to help them beyond just cooking and cleaning for them. If this power really is something so amazing, then we can't let it be taken away." She nervously smiled at me. The two of us knew nothing about what we were getting ourselves into. Yet at the same time we were fully prepared to commit ourselves to it.
"Sasagawa Kyoko." Both raised their arms. They levitated a unique stone in their hands. It looked as if two rectangles were glued together as it was being surrounded in pink flames.
"Miura Haru." The stone flew out of their hands, circling around the two of us. We stepped closer to each other, watching it increasing in speed.
"We, Kagamine Lin and Ren, find the two of you worthy to be the next Scudo ring bearers." The stone split into two balls, one flying to each of us. My hand unconsciously was brought up to touch the ball of light. It completely enveloped my hand, changing its shape to half of a shield. I matched with Haru who had the other half of the ring to mine.
"I have to warn you guys that you shouldn't use your powers recklessly. The two of you together are as strong as the Buco Nero owner in terms of raw power but that doesn't give you the ability to fully handle it. Try lighting your rings on ol' Checkerface's journal."
Checkerface's journal. So this didn't belong to Natsuki like we thought like it did. Nonetheless, we turned in a few pages to the map that we originally followed here. We placed our hands on the open book taking a few breathes.
'Your flames are a show of your emotions. The stronger your resolve the greater the flame.' I reminded myself of Natsuki's words from training. Though our flames were draining at that time courage from these rings filled me up. Our two rings sparked a large flame, I couldn't control it fast enough that I ran myself dry.
The book was dropped onto the floor as the two of us fell to our knees, eventually tipping ourselves to lay on the ground. There was a high pitch ringing in my ears as I struggled to catch my breath. With my heavy eyes I looked to Haru who wasn't in any of a better condition than I. I downcasted my eyes to the book that had a few blurry words inside. 'I guess that's what we were trying to accomplish.'
We laid there for some time trying our best to at least remain awake through it all. Once my body wasn't screaming anymore I slowly pushed myself up. "Haru-chan, are you okay?"
She sat up with the little strength left in us. "Yeah. You?"
"I think so. That was nothing like the rings that Natsuki-chan let us use though."
"Do you understand the level of intensity that these hold?" I nodded at Ren. Now that we owned a part of the Tri-Ni- Sette we were placed with more pressure.
"Good. Now I hate to push you out while you're still weak but we have a few trespassers here. We pushed them off as much as we can but they're getting persistent. We wish you the best of your luck." We couldn't question anything further when the cave lights went out. I couldn't process what happen next as we were sitting outside, at the foot of the mountain with the moon at the peak.
I blinked a few times, realizing that we were just thrown out. "Finally they let you go. Those bratty twins need to learn their place with me."
I lunged forward to grab the journal off the floor. We both stood our ground at the woman standing in waiting. I couldn't recognize her but knew that she meant bad news. "Don't touch them, Azazel."
I felt my breath hitch at the familiar threatening voice. Natsuki came out of the forest with a man by her side. He looked around her age, slightly shorter than her. Suddenly my finger with my ring on it started tingling. 'Was it trying to warn me of something?'
"Oh you are in no place to tell me what to do Natsuki. You're Yoshi's lapdog dog. So no back talking." I looked at Natsuki who had no reaction to the comment. Not just Natsuki, but anyone would have been mad at that kind of statement. She didn't though.
Her gray eyes were blank as the man placed his arm around her. She made eye contact with me. My memories with her were brought up, not once remembering such dead eyes that she had. Only a day had passed and she was already beyond recognition. She slowly bowed her head.
"I apologize for my actions. They were unauthorized." I shivered at her monotone voice. She was broken. The man used his finger to make her look at him.
"Don't beat yourself up sweet Natsuki-chan. You're a kind person at heart that you care about these defenseless girls. It's cute." He caressed her face in a way that made me almost puke.
"Whatever you did to Natsuki-chan we're going to stop you!" I announced. He seemed peeved at me for interrupting their 'moment'.
"You girls shouldn't speak so roughly with strangers. My name is Tachibana Yoshi, the owner of the Buco Nero ring. Just because you've obtained the Scudo rings does not give you the excuse to be so brash." I caught the black ring shinning on his finger realizing why Ren and Lin were anxious to let us out. This was our enemy here and we were still a bit woozy from our rings.
"Just because Natsuki-chan came to your side doesn't give you permission to touch her. She's a Mafioso. Don't mess with her!" Haru yelled at them. I could hear in her voice that she shaking.
"Well she never went against it. Isn't that right?" He gave her a small rub on the shoulder to answer.
"You girls need to learn your position. Even with switched sides, I'm still a higher ranking than you. I can speak for myself." I picked at her words, not hearing that she was okay with it. She probably couldn't speak up for herself.
"See? Now why don't hand over your rings and we'll all leave peacefully." He held out his hand for us with a smile. I held the journal and my ring tightly.
"I thought you only wanted Natsuki-chan. Why do you want our rings?" I questioned. His eyebrow twitched a little.
"How you came to conclusion is impressive." I panicked a little, realizing that it was Natsuki that theorized that in the first place. "That is still very much true. All I care for is that Natsuki-chan is by my side. I can't have any of you trying to take her away from me. That's why I choose to follow where the journal led us, thinking it would lead to the next guardians. Azazel, please do the honours."
We took a step back at her step forward. We had our backs against the mountain, with no way to escape. I think that even if we tried, we were too tired to get far. "Natsuki-chan, a little advice?" I pleaded.
Her eyes glared to the left of us. "I have no part of this."
She pushed Yoshi to the ground, jumping back. For a second I thought that she was going to help us when a familiar orange flame filled my vision. I felt like crying with relief seeing Tsuna's sharp orange eyes. "Whether you're a part of this, you're our enemy now."
"Kyoko!" I looked back at my brother, Reborn and the rest of Tsuna's guardians coming to back him up. Even Lambo was here to save us. They stood in front of us with Tsuna seemingly leading them. Up until now, I never felt such a tension coming off them.
"That wasn't too nice Natsuki-chan. I'll forgive you though." Yoshi seemingly didn't sense the same thing, nonchalantly getting up. His only focus was on Natsuki keeping her distance. Not even Azazel was concerned with them.
"I was purely trying to save you. I don't need your corpse on my hands. Tsunayoshi-kun's finally growing up with the mind of Decimo." She returned to his side, never taking his eyes off us.
"Well I don't particularly feel like changeling Vongola Decimo. Shall we retreat for now?" She nodded at him. He pulled her close while Indigo flames covered her hand. With that they faded away.
I got a second to breath when my brother pulled me into a tight hug with Lambo clinging to Haru's leg. The flame on Tsuna's head went out but the wrinkle on his forehead remained. I gently removed myself from my brother to approach him. "How did you guys find us?"
"We knew that you would try to find Natsuki-san on your own so I had called Basil to keep an eye on the airports in Italy. We saw you sneaking your way here. You were luckily we did too. Why isn't her squadron at least here to watch over you?"
I lowered my head at him. I knew that he was right to scold us. "We're sorry. It's just that we thought that coming with her squadron would scare her away or intimidate her. That if we got to her before Varia could, we could her convince her to help us."
"Who's her?"
"In a letter that Natsuki-chan wrote to Varia, she told them that Sakurako-san was alive. Then we read her-" Reborn grabbed Haru by the shoulders, cutting her off.
"Haru. Repeat that again." He strictly, demanded.
"S-Sakurako-san is alive?" He let her go facing Tsuna.
"Varia's looking for Sakurako. We have to find her first, Tsuna. We can't let them near her." He turned back to us. "Did she mention anything else? Location? Contact information? Anything?"
I hesitantly shook my head. Tsuna looked closely at Reborn's stressing face. "Reborn, who is this Sakurako? Why can't we let Varia find her?"
"Sakurako, if it's who I think it is, is Natsuki's older sister to put it a better perspective. If we let Varia find her, she's going to die. And if that happens then you lose possibly one of the best allies that the Vongola has ever had as she's also the only heir left to be Celeste Quattor."