The next day, every Hibari member rushed to the hospital. Kyoya and his father ran into one of the rooms. There on the bed was Kyoya's uncle, bloodied and covered in sweat. "What the hell happened to you? Who did this?" Kyoya's father demanded to know.

"Who do you think?"

"Little bird? That's impossible."

"You better believe it. She's the one behind all the murders. She's the one that killed Kai and the group we sent."

"How did she get under our radars?"

"I don't know. She has these strange men working for her." Kyoya had never felt this angry before. Shiori was always innocent in his eyes and someone who was just misunderstood by his father. However, the innocence was a façade. She manipulated him to do what she wanted, to believe what she wanted.

"Kyoya." He looked up at his father.

"Yes?"

"I want you to find her and kill her. That's an order. I don't care if you do it while she's in class. I want her dead."

"Understood."

"Don't do it, Kyoya. She'll kill you without hesitation. She's a monster in disguise. She only left me alive to tell you it was her. You're falling into her trap." Kyoya's father scoffed.

"Go, Kyoya. I don't want to see her alive." Kyoya walked past a shocked Shamal. Not only was Shiori's father missing, but apparently Shiori killed all those men the nurses found and did this to Kyoya's uncle. He didn't want to believe it. She couldn't have done that. Those wounds were too clean and precise for it to be her. That something only someone of Reborn's caliber could pull off.

Squalo knew exactly what happened. He was awake for all of it. Dino was in Squalo's room, pondering what could have happened. Shamal walked in. "How's the investigation?" Dino asked.

"They're saying it was Shiori, but I think they're just pinning it on her to get rid of her." Squalo wasn't surprised Shiori got passed Shamal who was a seasoned assassin. Even though Shamal did have more experience, Shiori had the better skill set.

"Do they really hate her that much?" Dino questioned sadly.

"They do." Dino knew it was Shiori. The precision of the shot and the fact she had a grudge against the family was enough evidence.

"Is there anything we can do to help her?" Dino asked Shamal.

"I don't know. As of right now, she's missing. Even if we find her, she probably won't want our help. She always rejected my help."

"I'll try talking to her. She usually listens to me."

"Good. Tell her she's being targeted by the Hibari and get her story. Someone must have done this."

"I'll try." Shamal left the room. The two men sighed. "She always gets in trouble."

"She didn't do this on a whim, Dino."

"If there's anything I learned about Shiori is that she never does anything without a reason." Dino responded sadly.

"Don't get too down. This is her way of finally leaving this town. It's her transition to making the Varia headquarters her home."

The bumps in the road made my body jump. It was the only movement I've done in hours. It hasn't even been twenty-four hours since dad died. My body is just as numb as my mind. "You've gotten yourself in quite a mess."

"I'm aware, Nikita." She blew out smoke.

"You did a good job at pissing them off. They're practically running around looking for you." I scoffed and stared out the window of the car we were in. We were just going for a drive.

"How are the arrangements going?" I asked.

"They're going smoothly. None of us expected him to go that fast." I let out a sigh. I told Nikita everything that happened from dad's passing to now. "Thank you, Shiori."

"For what? I didn't do anything."

"For letting your father sleep. He was in a great deal of pain and suffered every day. His last moments must have been heaven for him."

"Did I really do the right thing?"

"You did." The car stopped. "Well, this is your stop." I was outside of a bakery.

"Thank you, Nikita."

"Take care. I should have more details about the funeral later tonight." I got out of the car and walked into the bakery. Sweets always made me feel better.

"What can I do for you, miss?"

"Can I get three slices of the chocolate cake and a large coffee?"

"Coming right up."

I had taken the ribbon I always wore off and tied my hair into a small bun. I got my order and sat down at one of the tables and started to eat. The sugar was helping, but it still didn't solve how empty I was. The door to the bakery opened. "This is where you ran off to." Fon jumped onto the table.

"Oh. I'm sorry, Fon. I forgot about you."

"That's alright. Nono told me everything when I visited him and with the mess at the hospital, it was easy for me to piece two and two together. Are you alright?"

"I feel empty. Well, my heart does."

"I'd say something, but I'm sure that wouldn't make you feel any better."

"It wouldn't. Even Nikita telling me I did the right thing didn't make me feel entirely better." I took another bite of my cake.

"It'll take you a while to heal. You've just suffered two deaths." I let out a small groan. "Is it good?" Fon asked with a smile.

"It's delicious."

"You'll have even better things to eat when you finally go home."

"Home?"

"To Xanxus."

"Oh." I got upset again. Xanxus still didn't tell me he was coming here. Though, I didn't tell him anything about my dad either. I guess it's only fair.

"You should probably start packing. I heard you already have a room ready."

"I do? Jeez, Lussuria works fast. I'm sure he has my jacket all done." Fon chuckled quietly.

"You know, whenever you talk about them, you get annoyed but your expression is soft."

"Do you blame me? They're idiots that only know how to kill. I'm surprised they can function in any other setting."

"You're probably the only person that can control them."

"Probably? I am the only one."

By the time I finished my cakes, it had gotten much later. I left and started walking with Fon in my arms. The weight of him in my arms felt nice. "Do you think the Hibari are after you?" He asked.

"They're stupid whether they are or not."

"Is that why you left that man alive?"

"I didn't leave him alive just so he could tell everyone it was me. I did it so he'd suffer. Plus, I know that man wouldn't just send anyone after me."

"I see."

I knew Kyoya would be the one after me. The others are just there to track me down. It's a simple tactic. A stupid one, but certainly still a method. The only reason it didn't work well was it left everyone wide open. When you have a target, you have to kill them right when you see them. You either kill them when you have the chance or they'll end up killing you. I heard an explosion nearby. That's where the school is.

"What was that?" I let out.

"Let's go check. It could be something important." I ran towards the school. For some reason, I felt like something was wrong.

My heart clenched and started to hurt. My eyes widened. "What's wrong?" Fon questioned.

"Xanxus is hurt."

"You can tell?"

"I can." I ran even faster. I got to the school gates and panted heavily. There was too much going on. Tsuna was standing with a flame on his forehead. Dino and others were in cages. And most importantly, Xanxus was on the ground, steam rolling off of him. My hands started to shake. "Xanxus…" He sat up heavily injured and panting like crazy. Tsuna had his hands in position. I felt something push me inside the school's gate.

"Go." Fon said in a gentle voice. "He needs you."

I ran towards them. All I cared about was Xanxus. He can't get hurt. Not him. I can't lose him. I've already lost too much. "Don't." I let the word slip out. I had no strength to shout. I had all it took to run. Tsuna let out a small gasp. I was able to get in front of Xanxus and shield him from whatever the attack was. All I felt was intense cold. It reminded me of a familiar feeling I experienced during the incident. I looked and saw ice on my entire left arm and shoulder. "Ice?"

No one was prepared to see Shiori during the battle. Not even Xanxus could have seen that outcome. Tsuna heard her but didn't have enough time to stop. He was already too far and it hurt Shiori. Her left arm was encased in ice.

"Shiori?!" Everyone shouted. Squalo and Dino looked at each other and then at the screen. Even Shamal couldn't believe his eyes. Xanxus caught Shiori as she fell. Everyone else just stared with wide eyes. She wasn't supposed to be here.

"I thought this place was sealed off from people." Reborn said.

"We have some of the best illusionists covering the school. Something must have happened." Shamal replied. Xanxus looked down at Shiori.

"What are you doing here?" He questioned.

"You called me."

"I didn't." That's when he saw the feather hanging from her neck. That's how she knew to come here. Xanxus glared at Tsuna. "I'll kill you."

"I didn't mean to do that! I couldn't stop myself. I'd never hurt Shiori." Tsuna looked at Shiori with apologetic eyes. He felt horrible. She coughed a little bit of blood out.

"Get out of the way." Everyone heard Kyoya. Xanxus saw the deep hatred and bloodlust Kyoya had. He wasn't going for Xanxus, he was going for Shiori and she knew that.

"Hibari?" Tsuna questioned.

"I need to kill her."

Xanxus held me tightly. I could feel his flame. It was warm. "Stop, Xanxus! You're going to kill her!" Shamal shouted. Just as Kyoya was going to strike, Xanxus let his flames go out of control.

"Don't touch her!" Xanxus' flames encased the two of us and went to strike Kyoya. Just then, the rest of the Varia got between me and Kyoya. I noticed how the ice on my arm melted. Xanxus calmed down and spat out blood.

"Xanxus…" I said in a worried tone.

"Why are you trying to kill Shiori? She didn't do anything wrong." Tsuna asked Kyoya, defending me.

"She killed my family." I stood up and stared.

"You don't need to defend me, Tsuna." He turned to me.

"Why? You didn't do anything wrong. There's no way you could have killed anyone. You're harmless." I heard Squalo scoff.

"Stupid shark." Xanxus muttered. Squalo must have been opening his mouth all night. Poor Xanxus.

"You'd be stupid to think that girl is harmless."

"What do you mean?" Reborn questioned.

"You can call it her special ability to get under everyone's radar. But I guess that was all from training, right, Shiori?" Everyone but the Varia stared at me with suspense.

"Step aside, Tsuna. He'll attack you to get to me." I spoke softly.

"I can't let you get hurt." I took a few steps forward.

"Don't worry about me, Tsuna." I turned to the Varia. "I'll handle this."

"This battle doesn't concern you, Shiori. It's only for guardians." Lussuria said with a worried tone.

"This battle does concern her! Whether you all like it or not, she's been appointed to be our cloud guardian!" Squalo yelled from where he was.

"What?!"

"Who the hell appointed you?" Xanxus asked me.

"Nono."

"When did he do this?"

"Last night when I visited him in the hospital."

"I don't accept it." I rolled my eyes.

"You either accept it or you'll be killed for treason."

"Old man…" I looked at a steaming Kyoya. It humored me. He just realized how much I manipulated him.

"This battle is already over. Xanxus was rejected by the rings and that automatically disqualifies him of being a candidate." Fon said, walking over.

"Fon? What are you doing here?" Mammon asked.

"Someone important asked me to take care of Shiori's little problem. I've been training her." Mammon understood what Fon was training me for.

"Get back, Tsuna. You can't change either of our minds. I'll be done in a few seconds."

"Huh?" Tsuna was pulled back by Fon.

"Now, Kyoya, do you want me to clarify anything while I'm here?"

"Did you kill all of those people?" Everyone stared at me for my answer.

"Yes." I replied with a smile. His expression darkened.

"Why?"

"They were trying to kill me."

"Why did you shoot my uncle?"

"He annoyed me. I would have killed him like the others, but I knew it'd be more fun to let the entire town just who really is in control." I chuckled, dodging Kyoya's attack.

"VOI! There's no need to hide who you are anymore. Your father is dead. Dealing with the Hibari was the only thing holding you back from going to where you belong. You already showed me you're ready with killing those men. Show these punks what a real monster is!" Everyone gasped.

"Your dad died?" Lussuria questioned.

"He did last night. Those people came in wanting money and wouldn't leave me to mourn. So, I decided to put an end to everything." I could feel Xanxus staring at my back. I could tell he already knew about the condition my father was in. I guess Squalo told everyone. He yelled from the spot he was at.

"You bet I told those idiots!" Squalo spat, reading my mind as usual.

"Don't lose control, Shiori. You'll die."

"Thank, Fon." I said sarcastically. I kept dodging Kyoya's attacks. They weren't fancy. I took a fist full of his hair. "I haven't really made my mind up with what I want to do to you." So, I threw him right into the school building and took out my gun, firing three shots without hesitation in one smooth motion. Once the smoke cleared, Kyoya was hardly conscious. Three holes were near his head. He looked and gasped. "I won't miss next time." He fell onto the ground and didn't move. "I must have scared him." Tsuna looked at me with fear.

"Shiori?"

"I won't hurt you. I have no reason to." He looked lost and as if he had a million questions running through his mind. I walked back to Xanxus who was hardly conscious. "You overused your flame." I said with slight annoyance.

"Shut up."

"There's another condition to not getting killed."

"What is it?"

"I get to be the one to administer your punishment." He closed his eyes, obviously exhausted from the battle. "You'll have to wait a little bit longer to know the truth."

"It's better than death." He fell onto his back.

"Boss…" Levi muttered. I walked back over to Tsuna.

"This makes you the next in line, right?" He nodded. I took a breath and exhaled.

"I'm sorry for what Xanxus has done."

"Why are you apologizing?"

"I'm the only sane person that can control these people. I can see when they've done wrong."

"What about Nono?" Tsuna questioned.

"He has a heart of gold and will forgive him. When we can talk alone, I'll explain everything."

"What's there to explain?" By this time, Tsuna's guardians went to his side.

"I'm originally from a yakuza in Tokyo but then was scouted by one of the world's most dangerous mafias." Their eyes widened. "Unlike you and your guardians, I was trained to kill under any circumstance from when I was a child."

"You were a kid?"

"Knowing I lied and deceived everyone, going as far as hurting your own guardian, knowing how horrible of a person I am, will you still accept me into your Vongola?"

Tsuna's eyes widened. Even his guardians were taken aback. "Aren't you already part of the family?"

"Yes, but you'll be the boss and it's only right to ask you." He got flustered and then straightened up.

"I don't think you're necessarily a bad person. You've done a lot of bad things, but I don't think you did all of it because you wanted to. They hurt you and you wanted to get them back. At least, that's what the feeling I get from you."

"You still haven't answered the question, Tsuna." I said softly.

"Of course." We shook hands.

"Thank you." A car pulled up to the gate. Everyone stared as Nikita got out of the vehicle.

"Who's that?" Tsuna asked. The adults in the cage all gasped. Nikita looked from me to Xanxus and sighed. She walked towards us. Tsuna and his guardians took a few steps back.

"Don't look too scared. I won't kill you unless you piss me off." Tsuna let out a shriek.

"D-don't hurt him!" Gokudera said cowardly.

"If you look at them any longer, they'll faint." I said with amusement. She chuckled and handed me a piece of paper.

"The funeral will be in two days. It'll be serviced at the same place Yuko's funeral took place."

"Thank you, Nikita."

"It's the least I could do." I looked back at Tsuna.

"This is Nikita. She's my old boss. Nikita, this is Tsuna. He's the next in line for the Vongola."

"Really? A pipsqueak like him?"

"I'm a little surprised, but he did defeat Xanxus."

"I guess that does show something." She got closer to Tsuna. He was completely terrified. She backed off and lit a cigarette. "You may not look strong, but those eyes say something else."

"Huh?" He questioned.

"You have a good heart. It's something rare to see in the underground. Make sure to keep that." Nikita looked at me. "And you."

"What?" She smacked the back of my head.

"I am not your former boss. I am your mother. I was the one that raised you to be the woman you are today."

"And I'm very thankful for that." She grunted before looking at Tsuna again.

"You and your guardians better have the decency to be at the funeral. If you don't, you can kiss any possible relation between the Vongola and my group goodbye. Do this and I'll do you a favor."

"I'll be there." Tsuna put on his brave front. Though, it wasn't as brave as he'd want it to look.

"Good. I'll see you all in two days. It'll be a funeral fit for a king." She walked back to the car and left.

"I'm sorry if she scared you. She does that to look strong when in fact she's just tired and exhausted from dealing with idiots."

"It sounds like you in the future." Fon walked over to me with a smile.

"Nikita did train me to be exactly like her. Who else was going to take her place?"

I walked back to the Varia. "Shiori…"

"There's a lot to discuss. Let's go back to my house for now. Xanxus still needs to rest and I'm sure you all are tired."

"You don't hate us for hiding everything from you?" Levi asked.

"I hid a lot from you guys. It's only fair. Plus, we had our reasons to do so." Just then, we heard screams. Two men fell from the roof. A tall man with a huge metal ball followed in suit.

"Lancia?!" Tsuna screamed.

"I saw these two suspicious people hanging around." He looked at me and stared intensely. "Kid?"

"Oh no."

"It really is you. What the hell are you doing here?" He looked at me and then the Varia. "I see."

"It's good to see you too, Lancia."

"How do you know Shiori?" Tsuna asked.

"She's my kid sister. I protected her when she studied in Italy. We were inseparable." He put a hand on top of my head. "She was a lot cuter back then."

"I haven't changed that much."

"I see you finally found your place. See? I said you had a flame like no other."

"You have no idea how right you were."

"You actually have one?"

"I do."

"That's great. Well, I'll let you be for now. We'll catch up later." Lancia went and broke the cages everyone was in. I rubbed my temples.

"Let's go before I lose my mind." Lussuria picked me up.

"You seem more tired than we are."

"I ate too much cake before coming here and then the explosion made me have a mini heart attack. I was so worried my stomach really hurts now. I have a massive headache from everyone screaming." He laughed quietly.

"Well, it's your job to keep us in line, right?"

"Unfortunately."

Tsuna watched the Varia leave. Squalo and Dino went behind them. It was still hard to believe Shiori was that powerful and scary. "Tsuna." Reborn walked over. "Congratulations. Let's go home."

"What will we do about Shiori?"

"There's nothing we can do. You accepted her into the family and Nono appointed her as Xanxus' cloud guardian. What she does is the Varia's business."

"Will she be fine with them?" Yamamoto asked.

"You saw how they all protected her. Even Xanxus, someone who hates everyone, protected her. She'll be just fine."