Everyone waited for Shiori to speak. The tension was killing them. She just sipped her tea before looking straight ahead into the audience. "Someone troublesome seems to have taken a liking to you too. However, I do feel sorry for you, so I'll help you out a bit." She closed her eyes and turned her head a little. "But don't get the wrong idea. I don't intend on becoming your ally. I plan on enjoying this endless tale that Beatrice is going to weave until I tire of it. That's why I'll lend you my power. It's all so I don't tire of this." She picked her cup up. "I am the cruelest witch in the world. I will make any opponent of mine surrender without fail. Even if that opponent if the endless witch Beatrice." She looked at the audience again. "That's why you must do your best as well. Don't bore me okay?" Her voice taunted the audience. She then laughed in the same fashion as Kiyomi as the lights turned off. When they came back on, the curtain was closed. Xanxus felt a chill go down his spin. It was different than the Shiori he was used to.

Kyoko was just so awestricken with Shiori. "That was Shiori, Tsuna! The way she spoke sent chills down my spine. It was as if she was talking right to my soul." Kyoko said with stars in her eyes.

Reborn was even happy with Shiori's performance. This was probably why she got the part. Everyone got up from their seat for intermission. Nono walked over to the Varia. "What do you want?" Xanxus asked.

"I'd like to speak to you about Shiori." This caught everyone off guard.

"Why?"

"We just need to talk. It's important." Xanxus stood up and followed his dad to a quiet place in the main hall.

"Is there something wrong with her?" Xanxus asked.

Nono smiled at his son's question. "She's fine. Do you see her as part of the Varia in the future?"

"No."

"Not as an officer, Xanxus, but as someone who just lives there."

Xanxus scoffed. "Get to the point."

"I wanted to apologize about what I told you back in Osaka."

"Why? You were right. I'd get her killed." Xanxus said.

Nono shook his head. "I talked with some people who know Shiori very well. Apparently, you met one of them. I guess what I'm saying is you shouldn't be worried about her safety if she stays with you."

Xanxus turned to his dad. "And if she dies because a rival family wants to get back at us? At me? What then?"

"You need to tell her about the mafia." Nono urged. Xanxus knew he was right, but what if she wouldn't face them again? What would he do? Squalo walked over.

"Boss?" Squalo questioned.

"What do you want?"

"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation." Squalo answered honestly.

"So?" Xanxus questioned. He wasn't in the best of moods.

"You promised her something, didn't you?" Squalo said, knowing exactly what that promise was.

"Did she tell you?" Xanxus asked. Nono looked between the two.

"She did. I asked her myself. I even asked if she'd go if we weren't what she thought."

Xanxus glared at Squalo. "Why the hell did you ask her that?"

"You need to tell her." Squalo said.

"I can't."

"Ask yourself this, idiot. How did she know you were burned with a flame instead of asking what happened? Why do you think that?" Squalo questioned.

Nono understood immediately and he could see Xanxus understood as well. He sighed and held his head. This was too much for him. He couldn't think straight. Telling her and not telling her would result in her getting mad at him anyway. There was no good way to tell her. "What are you doing here?" They all turned and saw Reborn. He was looking directly at Xanxus.

"We came to see the play. How are you, Reborn?" Nono asked, flipping his personality to a cheerful one.

"I'm well." He looked at Xanxus and Squalo. "You two never crossed my mind as men who enjoyed things like this."

"Lussuria and I dragged them along. How do you like the play so far, Reborn?" Nono asked, covering for the Varia.

"It's wonderful as usual. I must say, my student's classmate has captured everyone's attention."

"Really? What character are they?" Nono asked.

"She's Bern the witch of miracles."

"Ah! She's certainly a mysterious character. Though, she seems perfect for the role."

"That's what I thought." They all heard a crash and then a scream. Reborn sighed. "I'll make sure that wasn't my student."

When he left, Squalo put his attention on Nono. "Why did you cover for us?" He asked quietly.

"No one but us needs to know of Shiori's involvement."

Xanxus growled at Nono. "She isn't involved."

"She will be." Nono said.

"She won't. I won't allow it."

Nono frowned. "What if it's inevitable? What will you do then?" He asked. Xanxus just stayed silent. "If she learns anything about the mafia and your involvement, I want it to come from your mouth. She trusts your word over anyone else's." Nono left the two and went to get a snack. Squalo just stared at his boss.

"Leave." Xanxus demanded.

"But…"

"Go."

Squalo left to give him room. Xanxus didn't want to tell Shiori. She'd never stand him anymore. She'd detest him like everyone else. He had to shake it off. He went back to his seat. He never let something like this bother him before. Why is this different? The Varia knew something happened but didn't say a word. Nono looked over and knew he messed up again. "Don't worry about it, boss." Nono's storm guardian said.

"I can't help it. He looks lost. I've never seen him like this before."

"He'll be fine."

"What if he won't be?" Nono questioned.

"He got over the first funk, didn't he? I'm sure everything will be alright between then." Everyone got back to their seats. The lights abruptly turned off. The curtain rose, showing the other world where the main characters were debating. Shiori wasn't able to be seen.

Nono enjoyed the debate but was waiting impatiently for Shiori to come onto stage. When she did, everyone's hearts skipped a beat. She hardly spoke, but when she did, it was cold. It was then just Shiori and Kiyomi on stage. "Are you bored yet, Bern?"

"This game is certainly interesting. Have you been holding back?" Shiori asked.

Kiyomi laughed. "I should have known the great Lady Bern would see through me." Shiori eyed Kiyomi dangerously.

"What?" Shiori questioned.

"You'll see. Though, I do have one question for you." Shiori put her tea down. Kiyomi stood up and walked over to Shiori. "Who are you?" Kiyomi vanished, leaving an angered Shiori.

"Who am I?" Shiori began to laugh. "I am no other than Bern the witch of miracles! I'm the cruelest in the world!" She took a few deep breaths. "Or…am I?" Her voice was small and empty. "It's no matter. I am who I am now. There have been so many versions of me in each fragment. There must be thousands of me somewhere. Some are dead. I know that. I've seen it. I've felt it all."

"Bern?" The main character walked out.

"Yes?" Shiori sounded as if nothing had happened.

"A-are you alright? You're talking to yourself and you have this scary look on your face."

Shiori sighed. "I can assure you I'm fine. Shouldn't you be preparing against Beatrice?" She questioned.

"I'll be fine." The main character said with a bright smile.

"Poor sheep. Your ambition is large, but you will surely fail."

He gave Shiori a goofy smile. "I won't fail. There's no way."

Everything was going well. Kiyomi made sure to reassure me of my ability. Backstage, I waited for my next scene. It was a song. It'd be my first song I'd sing in front of everyone. Everyone could tell I was nervous. The extras in the play were trying to help me calm down. However, it wasn't until Kiyomi walked to me did I feel better.

"You're nervous." She said. I nodded. She put her hands on my shoulders. "The only thing that you will see is darkness. You won't see anyone else."

"I know that."

"I'll cast my magic as the endless witch that you'll successfully perform beautifully." I kept my gaze on the ground. Sure, it helped me a little bit, but it didn't ease my stomach.

"Shiori, please get ready." I grasped my stomach. My nerves made me physically hurt.

Kiyomi walked to the stage with me. She smiled gently in hopes of calming me down. I was shaking the entire time when I waked up the stairs. The curtain closed. That was my cue. I walked to the middle of the stage and sat on my knees, hunched over, looking at my hands. My side faced the audience. This was it. The curtain opened. A bright light beamed on my back.

"Who…am I?" I questioned weakly. "I'm Bern the witch of miracles, but…" I let out a small chuckle. "I'm not supposed to feel these emotions. I'm not human."

"You could be." A whisper spoke. It came from the audience.

"That's impossible!"

"It isn't impossible." The voice whispered.

I looked at the audience. "Who's there? Show yourself!" Yet, no one showed. I put a hand over my left eye. "I'm the world's cruelest witch and yet here I am…" I trailed off before laughing louder than before. I could feel the madness Bern would have felt. I let it take over. I stood up with a cracked smile. "As the witch of miracles, I hereby declare that…"

My mic cut off on purpose as I spoke the rest. The music started playing. Goat men were walking onto the stage. One started dancing with me while the rest danced with one another. That was when I began to sing. When I went to each goat to dance, the previous one would combust into nothing but a corpse. Its blood covered my body. When they were all dead, I sung the rest of the song which consisted of a single sentence, spinning in the middle of the stage like a ballerina. The song was over, but the orchestra kept playing the song softly. I kept spinning, cackling to myself.

"Look! Look what I did! Isn't it beautiful?" I suddenly stopped mid-spin with a frown. "Did you pigs really think I'd sacrifice good furniture for your pleasure?" I scoffed at them. "Pigs like you don't know better. It's why we have goats." I spoke with disgust, as if I was looking at trash. The lights turned off which was my cue I was done with the scene.

Kiyomi was proud of Shiori. She killed her song and did better than any of the times she practiced it. Everyone backstage cheered after the performance. They could all see how nervous Shiori was. Knowing how good she did with this performance set the stage for the rest of the play. This was why Shiori was picked to be Bern. Reborn knew from seeing the author's other plays that this was the real reason Shiori was casted. It wasn't how she captured Bern's personality. Any good actress can do that. Not many could capture the insanity of Bern. The entire Varia couldn't keep their eyes of Shiori. It made them feel on edge. The way she spun perfectly made her seem innocent, but the blood that covered her reminded everyone of what she did. Even the way she spoke to the audience made everyone feel off. It especially affected Xanxus. Squalo knew immediately and looked over at him. Xanxus was gripping his seat, his leg shaking. Nono could feel how uncomfortable everyone in the theatre was. This was the bloodiest of plays that's ever been produced and written by the writer and producer. To make matters worse, most of the blood covered Shiori.

"Mother." Syoko's son said quietly.

"We'll check on her after." She replied.

Nono knew he'd have to check up on her after as well. Being covered in blood probably brought her back to that place.

Backstage, I was rushed into a costume change. I had four costumes as backups because of how many times I'd get the dress dirtied. It didn't bother me since it was only special effects. I quickly changed and ran back to the stage where I'd sit and help the main protagonist win against Kiyomi in their game of wits. It was boring for me, but it was important in the long run to have me on stage.

"What do you think, Lady Bern? Is it plausible the lock was faulty?" Kiyomi asked. We were in the middle of discussing the closed room mystery. One of the protagonists died and it was my ally's job to figure out how the murder took place without magic. It was just one of many we encountered.

"I'd call it a small miracle." I said with a chuckle, pissing Kiyomi off.

"So, that's the game you're playing." She spat.

"I'm only helping your opponent because you're too powerful for a human. I guess I'll take my leave for now. You should take a break as well, Beatrice. It isn't like you to get angry like this."

"Watch what you do, Bern. This is my game." Kiyomi warned.

I disappeared from the scene and waited for another thirty minutes. They were still battling on the stage. It must be boring for the audience, but there was a reason why these battles were so long. I looked at the clock. There was about an hour left. That meant I had the stage for the rest. Sachiko rubbed my shoulders since she could see how stressed I was.

"It'll be fine. You've killed everything else. Just do what you've been doing and everything will be fine." She whispered.

Lussuria was getting excited. He knew the end was coming. With the end came Shiori's final performance and the last thing they'd hear. He kept squirming with anticipation. Squalo glared at Lussuria. His giddiness pissed Squalo off. It was distracting him from the play. The main protagonist was on stage alone.

"Just a little more and I'll finally get everyone back. Things can go back to how they were. I'll finally have my family back. I'll be able to see my sister again. I almost have Beatrice trapped." He spoke with hope. Everyone would think they'd see the final debate. There would be a happy ending.

"That's what you think." Shiori said as she appeared. She looked the same as usual.

"What do you mean?"

"Your family is dead. Not even a miracle can bring them back." She said.

"That can't be true! What about me? I'm alive." He shouted, putting a hand over his heart.

"It's true. And you? You've been dead for twelve years." His eyes widened. Shiori's demeanor was starting to change.

"That…doesn't make sense!"

"You've spent twelve years here because of a promise you forgot. You're awfully gifted at seeing the faults of situations, but you can't see them when they're your own faults. That's why I never liked humans to begin with." Shiori said.

"I'm confused."

"Bern." Kiyomi appeared on stage with a dangerous glare.

"What is it?" Shiori asked.

"Aren't you supposed to be on his side? What kind of ally torments another?"

"You've gotten awfully too close with him, haven't you? You've gotten weak, Beatrice. The endless witch shouldn't have an ounce of weakness. Allow me to help you." In that instance, the man's head popped right off, blood splattering everything, the head rolling to Kiyomi's feet. Kiyomi crouched down with disbelief and screamed from anger. She was shaking. All of Kiyomi's servants were summoned. "Unlike you, I have no attachments. I don't get hung up on what others feel, especially humans. They're meaningless to us, only there for our entertainment." Shiori said with a smirk.

"I'm the game master! I have full control of this game! He should not have died." Kiyomi shouted.

Shiori laughed at her. "Are you sure?"

Kiyomi's eyes widened. "It can't be possible…"

"That's right."

Kiyomi stood up, cradling the head in her arms. "I'll have you killed." Kiyomi declared with passion.

"Haven't you been listening? I already declared it earlier, Beatrice."

Kiyomi smiled as if she knew what to do. "Tell me one thing, Bern. Using your words of truth only you can use, who are you?"

"I am…!" Shiori couldn't say it no matter how much she wanted to. She grasped her neck. Why couldn't she say her name?

"That's right! You're not the witch of miracles! Are you even Bern?! Is that even your name?"

Shiori took a few steps back, holding herself. Shiori wasn't Bern? Everyone in the audience questioned themselves. "I am Bern. I am the witch of miracles!"

"Pitiful creature. You've sunk too far into the abyss for me to return you to your original form." Kiyomi spoke with a calm voice.

"Don't pity me!" The entire set became on fire. It freaked everyone out. "Where did this come from?" Shiori questioned with anger and fear.

"This is the only way for you to die, Bern, and I'm taking myself with you!" Kiyomi started to burn from the fire engulfing her body. Kiyomi made Shiori's body fly into a wall.

"I won't let you get the pleasure of watching me die!" Shiori shouted, standing up. She spointed her hand at Kiyomi.

Kiyomi's head exploded. Her blood sprayed like a geyser. Shiori panted heavily. The other servants were screaming from pain, falling onto the ground. "Shut up! Just die silently!" Their bodies all exploded. Their blood was all on Shiori.

"I refuse to die. I won't die!"

The entire stage went dark, but they could still hear the set breaking apart and the raging fire. Everyone gasped. They could hear Shiori singing in a quiet whisper. It wasn't like any other time she sang. It had an innocent tone to it. The lyrics broke everyone's hearts. The lights were on, albite dimmed. They could see Shiori struggling to walk. She was burned from the fire, but hardly alive. There was a small break in the song. Shiori didn't speak. She collapsed to her knees and stared at the audience and sung the rest of her song. When the song finished, she gave a small smile before a large spike went through her chest, her body dangling in the air. This was the moment everyone backstage was anticipating. Shiori let out a desperate, pain filled scream. Her body twitched as she kept screaming. Her voice was getting quieter. Her whole body stopped moving and relaxed. The spike disappeared. Shiori's body fell to the ground. The audience saw Kiyomi crawling with one arm to Shiori. A single light beamed on the two. Once Kiyomi got to Shiori, she sat up and took Shiori into her arms. Kiyomi spoke something that no one could hear. Tears ran down Kiyomi's face onto Shiori. The fire engulfed the two of them turning them into ash. The lights went out, signaling the end of the play.

The ending made everyone in the audience want to scream. The Varia wanted to rush down to Shiori, but they knew it was all an illusion. It was a good one. Lussuria was crying along with others in the audience. Nono wiped his tears away. Everyone stood with applause. The lights came on. The cast was coming out, bowing. It first started off with the extras. A song started playing to accompany the cast as they all walked out. The more people that came out, the closer everyone was to seeing Shiori again. Kiyomi and Shiori walked out together. They were truly the main characters in this play. The two bowed with grace. Everyone cheered for them. Kiyomi looked down at Shiori and said something. Shiori spoke to her with a smile. They all did a final bow before leaving the stage. Nono turned and saw Syoko and her son behind him crying.

"That was beautiful. Little Shiori grew up." Syoko commented.

"She really did." Her song replied.

Kyoko was crying. "That was beautiful. I never thought I'd be crying this much. Shiori was amazing!"

"It really was." Reborn replied. Tsuna felt empty. He didn't know what to think of the play. He was so confused, so empty. "This is what genius is, Tsuna. You'll never get it."

"That's not it. I'm just…" Tsuna couldn't finish his sentence. He didn't know the right words for this.

"Empty? Confused?" Dino asked. Tsuna nodded. "I feel the same."

Kiyomi hugged me tightly as soon as we got backstage. "We did it!" We both cheered.

"Your scream was top notch! It was exactly what the director wanted and more! It even broke my heart!" Kiyomi said with excitement.

"I'm surprised too. I've never been this satisfied with it." I said. My heart kept beating with excitement.

"Shiori!" Sachiko ran up to me with tears running down her face. "I hate and love you for making me cry!"

"I'm sorry."

"Go change and then we can celebrate with a feast." Kiyomi said while patting my back.

"Alright!" I walked back to my room.

I knew Angelo had followed me. I didn't even start to change. Angelo would still come in whether or not I was changing. All I did was make it harder for him to take my clothing off. I felt hands on my waist and cringed. "I see you waited for me. Did you want me to help you?" Angelo whispered in my ear.

"I was waiting for you, but it wasn't for you to help me." I turned and glared at him. He was smirking and brought up his hand to cup my cheek.

"Those eyes don't suit you. I'd rather see them full of fear and pleasure." He took a hold of my ribbon and tore it off. I tried to attack his throat, but I unfortunately tripped and fell backwards. My ankle burned with pain. What a great time to roll my ankle. Angelo didn't waste a single second to get on top of me and between my legs. "This is even better." The door was then broken. I looked and was shocked.

"Kaoru?" I said with surprise. What was he doing here? My heart dropped when I saw Xanxus and Squalo. Why were they here too? I wanted to hide. I didn't want them to see me like this. Anything but this.

The lights of the theatre came on. "Well, let's go check on little Shiori." Syoko said happily. She looked at Nono. "You should come too. I'm sure Shiori won't mind." The three left the seating area. Xanxus saw them and followed with Squalo. They all saw Angelo go around a corner. That didn't bode well. They could hear something in another room. It sounded like a struggle. The man broke the door as quickly as possible. They all froze. Angelo was above Shiori. Her dress was being torn off.

"What do you want?" Angelo spat.

"Kaoru…" Shiori spoke.

"Get your hands off her!" Kaoru demanded.

"Why?" Angelo asked.

Xanxus and Squalo ran right in. They looked beyond angry. "Boys." The two turned to Syoko. "Let my son take care of him."

"I wasn't able to take that bastard's head years ago, but yours will do." Kaoru said and looked at Shiori. "I'll take care of him. There's no need to worry." She nodded and instantly relaxed her body.

Kaoru charged right for Angelo. He tried to move, but Shiori kept him in place with her legs. Kaoru pushed Angelo through the wall. An audible snap was heard. Shiori got on her knees and tried to get up. "Did he hurt you?" Kaoru asked.

"I tripped and hurt my ankle. I was expecting him."

Kaoru took Angelo out of the wall. He was unconscious. "I'll deal with him." Kaoru said with a smile.

"Please do." Shiori replied.

"When you're done, I'd like to have a few minutes with this insect." Syoko spoke dangerously.

"Don't kill him, mother. I get the pleasure of killing this flea."

"I guess it's fair since I killed the other one. I'll give him my special. After all, he tried to harm our Shiori." Syoko said with no emotion. It was unnerving.

Kaoru picked up Angelo. "The last person who thought about harming Shiori died a painful death. They were torn and eaten alive. You, however, touched her with intent to harm her. I'll be kind and let you pick out how you want to die."

Angelo spat in Kaoru's face. "Give me a quick death, coward."

Kaoru looked at Shiori. "Would you like to have a word in this?"

"Get him out of my face."