Straw Hat's Guardian

by ArmyBratz101

All his life Lambo has been seen as nothing but a tantrum throwing selfish weak crybaby, it's easy to see himself that way. Then, one day a Straw Hat comes flying into his life bringing chaos wherever he went, while dragging Lambo along with him. Lambo just can't help but go along with this Straw Hat, he even enjoys it. This is the story of how a boy grew into who he wanted to be.

35. Straw Hat's Guardian!

"Wha-?"

Tsuna didn't even get to finish when Luffy angrily shout once more.

"GIVE ME BACK MY GUARDIAN!", Luffy demanded, the rest of the Straw Hat crew spilling out from behind him, all glaring at Tsuna and his Guardians determinedly.

With help from both Gokudera and Yamamoto, Tsuna got back up on his feet, rubbing his jaw as he narrowed his eyes at the Straw Hats.

"Your Guardian?", hissed the Decimo, "He is the Lightning Guardian of Vongola. What right do you have, to claim that he is yours?"

"Simple. I decided that Lambo is going to be a part of my crew.", Luffy states confidently with a proud grin, "And I won't leave without him."

"Don't you understand?", Chrome asks quietly, "He's not a part of your crew, nor will he ever be."

Kyoko nods in agreement, "He is perfectly safe and happy here with his famiglia."

"Yeah?", Nami scoffs, her words dripping in sarcasm, "Sorry if we don't take your word for it."

"I thought you had reached an agreement with Tsuna.", Mukuro raised a brow at the group, his lips held a smirk, but his eyes were cold as they stared down the pirates.

"And we thought you all were supposed to be Lambo's family.", Sanji shrugs eye narrowed and set determinedly.

"We are Lambo's Famiglia.", Yamamoto insisted, almost pleadingly.

"Doesn't look like it to us.", Zoro retorts, "With what we've seen? Some family you lot are."

"But why go so far for a stupid cow?", Ryohei asks, genuinely curious.

"It's because of comments like that we are willing to 'go so far'!", Ussop shouts back angrily.

And just like that, it fell into a stalemate. No one had anything else to say in that moment.

So, for a single whole minute, the entire room became silent, tensions quickly rising as the people could feel the intensity between the pirates and mafiosos' stares. The silence felt heavy and cold, Lambo can feel shivers running up and down his back from it. No one dare break it, for fear of starting something that cannot be stopped once it begun.

Lambo felt like he was watching a standoff he'd see in those old western stories. Each side twitching to draw first.

Tsuna's eyes narrowed further as a single word left his lips.

"Gokudera."

First draw.

The words barely left his lips before Gokudera leapt into action, his hands already reaching inside his jacket for his sticks of dynamite.

But Luffy was faster.

Another draw.

"Gum Gum...!", Luffy threw his foot back, stretching it all the way to the back of the room, almost hitting Nami and Ussop in the process, who both had screamed and managed to barely duck in time, as well as multiple of Vongola's guests, who all also managed to duck down in time, "Whip!"

And just like that, Luffy's entire leg whipped around the whole room, much to everyone's shock as they all screamed in fear and surprise. Must managed to duck in time, including Tsuna, his guardians, Reborn, Dino, Lambo, and the Straw Hats. The attack taking out some of the guests and most of Vongola's men, who had rushed out at the first sign of a commotion.

Luffy laughs at the many sprawled bodies, "Look guys, they flew like bowling pins!"

"ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL US!?", shrieks Nami and Ussop with sharp teeth.

Gokudera was the first to straighten, drawing his arms back, about to throw his signature dynamites at the Straw Hat Pirates that dare try to strike Vongola's Head.

"You dare try to strike the Tenth!?", Gokudera seethes, eyes narrowed in a glare.

Lambo's eyes quickly found Dino's still bent over form. Barely thinking, Lambo rushed forward towards the Cavalone's Decimo. Before the Mafioso or his men could do anything to stop the teen Guardian, Lambo was already rolling off Dino's back, discreetly swiping Dino's whip as he did so. Landing back on his feet, and with a flick of his wrist, a loud 'CRACK!' sounded through the air.

Just as Gokudera was about to swing his arm forward, a thick leather whip wrapped around his entire fore arm with a crack. The Storm Guardian stumbled back from the force behind the strike. The one responsible having pulled on their end on the whip in order to successfully imbalance Gokudera.

Only one person in the East Blue of the Mafia families wielded a whip that well.

At least to Tsuna's knowledge.

"Dino! What the he-!?", Tsuna shouts, turning to where Dino stood.

Only for Vongola's Head, Guardians, and the Arcobaleno himself to all freeze. They, along with a dumbfounded Dino, are all staring and gaping at Lambo, who had a firm grasp to his end of the borrowed whip, tightly.

Gokudera gave a testing sharp tug on the whip, but Lambo remained firm and tugged back harder, causing the silver haired man to stumble, unable to hide the clear surprise on his face. But Lambo, didn't allow the Storm Guardian the time to recover, with a twirl of his wrist and a flick of his arm, the whip forced Gokudera's arm down and around his body, along with the rest of the whip, ending up with Gokudera all wrapped up and immobile.

Completely unable to move.

"What... the hell do you think... you're doing stupid cow?", Gokudera asks with gritted teeth, grunting between every other word as he spoke.

Lambo didn't answer, instead, he gave the whip another harsh tug, and the entire gala gasped, many shouting in surprise, when Gokudera flew off his feet with a yell and spun full circle on his side in midair, before crashing down flat on his stomach. Groaning while Lambo pulled back the now empty whip, wrapping it up with another flick of his wrist.

Message clear, Lambo marched forward, and stood in the clear area created by the guests, standing exactly in the middle, right in between Vongola and the Straw Hats. Staring down Vongola with a hard stare.

Tsuna's eyes narrowed as he returned Lambo's stare with one of his own. If it weren't for how Lambo's body trembled and knuckles turned white with how tightly he clenched his fist, you'd think Lambo wasn't even affected.

Unfortunately, Lambo is always affected the most when faced down with Tsuna's hard stare like this, but he refused to back down. So, despite his instincts screaming at him to back down, Lambo remained firm, making no move to get out of the way.

"Are you alright Gokudera?", Tsuna asked once the Storm Guardian got back on to his feet.

"Of course! The stupid cow just took me by surprise is all.", Gokudera states insistently.

"Of course.", Tsuna nods, then he turned, speaking to directly to Lambo, sighing in exasperation, like he's a parent speaking to a troubled teen, "Lambo what do you think you're doing?"

Lambo's eyes narrowed, "What do you think, oh mighty Decimo?"

Tsuna's glare become thunderous for a second before quickly being hidden away behind a calm mask.

"Fine then, let me ask you a better question.", Tsuna says stonily, "When are you going to give up this farce."

This caused Lambo to falter, his grip loosening on the whip, "Wha-?"

"Oh, come on, we all know this is just an act. What? Did you think it'd be a fun game?", Tsuna's voice rose as he spoke down at Lambo condescendingly, "Thought it'd be fun to toy with other people? Did you have fun toying with the emotions of strangers, you've never met before?"

The guests have started to whisper amongst themselves now, many glaring at Lambo, whose body trembled like a shaking leaf in the wind. Already sweating bullets and going pale as he felt the glares stab into him like knives.

"I-I..."

Lambo couldn't get any words out, there are too many stares. Too many people outright glaring into his very being. The whispers sounded like people yelling, their words echoing loudly in Lambo's ears.

"Shut up!", Ussop shouts, his voice an odd mix of a hiss and growl from his anger.

But it's too late, Lambo gave Tsuna an inch, now he's taking the mile.

"Was it really so bad here?", Tsuna asks, now sounding sympathetic and yet it felt like he was scolding Lambo like a disappointed parent all at once, "You have a home here, food on your plate, people who care and want to see you at your best, and luxuries many would dream about? How can you want more? How can you be so greedy?"

"I'm... I'm not-!", Lambo stutters, but Tsuna didn't let the young teen finish, already done with this 'bullshit' in his eyes.

"You're not what? Greedy? Selfish? Cruel?", Tsuna asks with faux kindness, absolutely done with everything that is going on with his stupid cow, "Because I'm sorry to say, you may not want to be, but that's exactly what you are. A Useless! Spinless! Stupid Cow! We are trying to help you here Lambo! We've seen what you can be! The power you can wield and hold if you just listened, are disciplined, and let us help you become who you were met to be. Because without Vongola, without us, without me! You. Are. Nothing."

From the force of Tsuna's words, the room became quiet, the Straw Hats could only stare at both Lambo and Tsuna in shock, while Luffy became unreadable, his hat casting a shadow over his eyes, and Lambo...

Lambo fell to his knees, dropping the whip as he went down, eyes wide as he stared at Tsuna with wide disbelief and betrayal. Having no idea that the man, who he had once thought of as an older brother, saw him like this.

It became too much, the stares, the tension, Tsuna's stormy eyes, and, worst of all, his words.

Once upon a time, Lambo thought he was going through the worst of it, and tried to bring it all to as permanent of an end that he knew of, but Hibari had found him and saved him, in more ways than one. But now, Lambo knows, that he was very much wrong, and this is the worst of it, without a doubt.

And just became the final straw.

He felt numb, and once again, wanted it all to end. What more can he endure? Why does he have to go through this? Why is it even happening in the first place?

What he done, for people to think so little of him?

"Lambo.", Nami's voice cut through the tense heavy silence that filled the large room, her voice echoing as she spoke, Lambo showed no signs of response, but she knew he is listening, "I see you."

Lambo's head jerked up to Nami in surprise, only to see every last one of the Straw Hat's either smiling or smirking down at Lambo in their own reassuring ways.

Hidden in the back, Hibari smirked at the sight and moment being held between the teen and his crew. Understanding those words, maybe not the context, but he understood enough to know the positive impact they had on his omnivore.

"You've been there and seen the worst of my pain and struggles.", Nami continues, smiling widening when she saw she has Lambo's full attention, "So now, we are here for yours. I, no we, want you to know... We See You."

After so many years of hiding and repressing his emotions, Lambo couldn't handle it anymore, he couldn't stop it even if he wanted to. And for once, after so many years, Lambo no longer wanted to hold back. He didn't care who saw, he just felt relief.

Vongola may never understand, but they do.

The Straw Hats.

Lambo's nakama.

And so, he cried and cried from years of held back tears, sobbing breathlessly from the force of the emotion running through his body, that it trembled.

Lambo continued to cry, despite knowing the sparkly pink smoke that began to consume him.

Tsuna felt a small glimmer of hope, maybe this will tip the scales in Vongola's favor after losing control of what just happened mere seconds ago. Present Lambo may wish to leave, but Tsuna felt confident that past Lambo would want to stay and-.

'Poof!'

"Huh?", came the well-known voice of past Lambo, sniffling as he took in his surroundings, "Where is Lambo-san now?"

All of Vongola, except Tsuna and Hibari, held their breathes, waiting for the 'inevitable' chaos to erupt.

But the most surprising thing ever happened, that sent ever single mafioso, except Hibari, flying at what happened next. For the entire Straw Hat crew's demeanor flipped in a complete 180.

"Lambo~!", Nami greets happily, a grape flavor lollipop already in hand.

"Look little Lambo is here!", Luffy bounces on his toes excitedly.

"Hey buddy!", Sanji waves with a large smile.

What.

Lambo gasps happily with wide eyes, "Uwa! Curly brow! Grass head! Long Nose! Rubber Man! And Candy Girl!"

What?

Faster than any and all Vongola members could have expected, Lambo immediately ran over and jumped into Nami's awaiting arms happily, the girl giving the boy the sucker to nom on the moment he was settled.

What!?

Zoro ruffles Lambo's hair with a soft smile, Sanji sauntering over, his own fond smile set in place as well.

"What's got you visiting us this time little buddy?", Sanji asks curiously.

"I got upset again...", Lambo sighs, looking frustrated with himself.

"It's okay to get upset, your five years old and a human.", Zoro reassures the kid, "Everything is going to be bigger than life to you compared to those that are older."

Luffy nods with a grin, "Yeah, and whenever you get upset, you can come and visit us! We'll make you laugh the whole time until it's time for you to leave!"

"What got you upset this time?", Ussop wonders.

"Gokubaka tripped on me."

The Straw Hat's froze, smiles plastered painfully on their faces as they all seemingly loomed over Gokudera with a frightening dark aura.

"Did he now...", Sanji says slowly, his words sharp and short.

Gokudera suddenly felt like he was one step away from an early grave.

"But then he apologized, he looked very worried for some reason.", Lambo states thoughtfully, oblivious to the Straw Hats reaction towards the Vongola, and the fact that the older versions are behind him, "Gokubaka then told me to use the bazooka so I can feel better!"

"At least one Gokubaka seems to have gotten it right.", grumbles Zoro in satisfaction, the rest of the Straw Hat's nodded in agreement, now appeased after hearing the full story.

"You can say that again.", Ussop sighs tiredly.

The whole crew watched as Lambo quickly fell asleep, the lollipop hanging slightly from his mouth, causing Nami to giggle as she took away the half-eaten candy.

But unfortunately, by this point, Tsuna has had enough.

"Grab him.", Tsuna ordered Reborn, his tone venomous and body posture screaming to the world of his frustration.

And all hell broke loose.

...

(In the Past)

Lambo is still crying; despite being teleported to the past. After finally letting loose, he can't seem to stop himself anymore. By this point, his tears have fully taken over his vision, so now Lambo can't see a thing. His vision too blurry to identify his surroundings and the people he has appeared with.

Fortunately, it seems, he didn't need too.

A hand softly, yet a little awkwardly, touched his back. Thanks to Lambo's uncertainty of his surroundings and the absolute muddle mess that is now his emotions, Lambo couldn't help but flinch from the touch. To busy sobbing, hiccupping, and crying to do much else.

The hand froze, but went back to his back, rubbing comforting circles and seeming more confident in its actions now.

"Shhh...", hushed a familiar voice, "Guess you needed a getaway too, huh?'

"Goku-hic-dera?", Lambo mumbled.

"Oi, I thought we agreed that I'm Gokubaka and your stupid cow?", Gokudera asked, but his voice is soft and teasing.

"We never agreed to that with me.", Lambo protests softly through his sniffles and quieting sobs.

There was a moment of silence, before Lambo heard a guilty, "I know."

Gokudera wrapped the, now, older boy in a soothing hug, rocking the two back and forth as he explained.

"By your third trip back, we knew that we screwed up in the future, even Reborn.", Gokudera says quietly, "Reborn no longer calls you stupid cow anymore, only I call you that. It's less of an insult now, and more of a term of endearment, as is Gokubaka is for you. Tsuna plays with you a lot more and Nana takes more time to help you study looking up fun games and simple ways to help you learn the material at school a lot easier, sometimes Reborn helps out too. Except using his less fatal and injury inducing methods."

Lambo's shoulders shook as he laughed weakly, as his vision slowly cleared, Lambo's sobs and hiccups are only sniffles now.

"Dino loves babysitting you whenever he visits, and so does Yamamoto, only if I or someone else is with him though, so he doesn't try and play baseball with you and end up knocking you out.", Gokudera chuckled this time before quietly continuing, "Sometimes you'd disappear, or someone else aside from Mama picks you up from school, we all have our suspicions that's Hibari, of all people, but only the baby knows for sure."

Lambo sighs contently as he listened, "That... sounds nice."

"Yeah... I don't think you can possibly understand how sorry we all are for the way we turned out and treat you in the future.", Gokudera apologizes sincerely, "You have no idea how absolutely shocked and disgusted we all were when we found out."

Lambo drew back from the hug as he gaped at the silver haired middle-schooler in surprise, "How do you guys-?"

"Reborn. There were many little clues you left behind each time the bazooka sent you back to your original time", Gokudera answers without Lambo having to voice the whole question, "The last nail in the coffin was when Reborn managed to spot the scars on your wrist just before you made a run for it with my crazy older sister chasing after you."

"Ah."

The two fell into a heavy silence. It wasn't uncomfortable one or tense or anything. This silence is heavy, from the many unspoken words the two shared and acknowledged within it.

It calmed and soothe Lambo to know that, even though his people from Vongola turned to shit with the way they ended up treating Lambo as if he were nothing. These guys, unlike his past, actually learned from their future, and have already made many changes that Lambo can see will lead them and his younger him, to a brighter path with a better future between them all.

A happier one for the future of Vongola to share.

So many possibilities have opened up for little Lambo's future, and Lambo couldn't be happier because of it.

Now, the only thing left for Lambo to do, is to fight for his own future.

As if fate heard him, Lambo, once again, began to be slowly encased by sparkling pink smoke.

"Looks like I'm going.", Lambo comments with a content sigh, turning to Gokudera a lot, "Thanks... Gokubaka."

Gokudera sent Lambo a devilish smirk, "Kick our asses stupid cow."

Lambo couldn't help but grin as he disappeared with a 'poof'.

...

(Back in the Present)

"Give him back!", Nami shouts as she swipes her staff at Kyoko and Chrome.

But the two quickly leapt back, dodging the ginger haired navigator's strikes, before both lunging forward simultaneously.

"He belongs here!", Kyoko insisted as she slashed at Nami with her twin tessens and Chrome came from behind, stabbing down with her trident.

Nami dodges the two strikes from Kyoko tessens, and blocked Chrome's attack with her staff, gritting her teeth as she glared at the two girls.

"That's not a choice you get to make!", Nami shouts, her eye blazing with determination, "It's his!"

...

Ussop ran, something that he is good at doing. Dodging the punches and kicks a certain boxer sent his way as he did so, before flipping over an overturned table for cover. Quickly firing many of his bullets from Ussop's trusty slingshot, causing the white-haired man to take shelter from behind another overturned table as well.

Taking the chance, Ussop fired at the many remaining standing men that stayed, following under Vongola. All got taken down with a single head shot before Ussop ducked back down for cover, rummaging through his satchel for one of his special ammos he created to use against the Sun Guardian.

"This is seriously an EXTREME fight!", Ryohei shouts joyfully from where he took cover, "It really is such a shame that it's all over a kid, of all things."

Ussop quickly leapt over the table, slingshot already out and loaded.

"I happen to like that kid!", Ussop shouts as he released, letting his shot fly straight and true, "And we, would like him back! Safe and sound!'

...

Sanji kept kicking and parrying Mukuro's attacks with his trident, while Mukuro kept slashing or stabbing before parrying or blocking Sanji's own strikes. The former glaring at the illusionists, while the later giggled gleefully from the adrenaline the fight caused.

Being pushed back, Sanji's single eye narrowed as he regarded the taller man before him.

"Why fight so hard for an idiotic brat.", Mukuro wonders, somehow still sounding genuinely curious while ruthlessly insulting Lambo in the process.

"Maybe it's because you see him as an 'idiotic brat' while I see him as a strong, yet shy kid.", Sanji growls back before leaping forward, aiming an overhead kick that Mukuro just barely managed to block, his face falling into open surprise.

...

A loud clang echoed in Zoro's ears as his and Takeshi's swords locked together, the two swordsmen stared at each other, one with a peaceful easy-going smile, but hard eyes, and another with a set frown, eyes narrowed into a glare.

Zoro's bandana casted a shadow over his eyes, making their glare sharper as he glared at the other swordsman.

"Swordmen are to be observant of their surroundings at all times.", Zoro growls, noticing out of the corner of his eye, two men wielding swords, falling to the ground, curtesy of Ussop.

"I am well aware of that.", Takeshi says calmly, despite his voice now having a hard edge to it.

Zoro pushed Takeshi back with a hard shove, the Rain Guardian stumbled back, just barely able to regain his footing and remain standing, while sword ran back to the two men he saw fall. Zoro slid across the ground, putting his sword in his mouth before grabbing the two swords, and leaping back to his feet in a ready stance, all three swords in his grasp.

"You're a poor excuse of a swordsman then!", Zoro declared, voice slight muffled from the sword in his mouth.

The green haired swordsman sped forward all three swords out. A dangerous dance has begun between the two swordsmen, and both are determined to win.

...

Luffy panted as he glared from under his hat at his two opponents, Gokudera to his left, and Tsunayoshi on his right. Tsuna has his flames already activated, gauntlets on his hand, his eyes now a glowing amber and a orange flame burning in front of his forehead. Gokudera also has his Dying Will Flames activated, his fists are covered in a thick red glow that swayed, like the flames they are named after, around the short-tempered silver haired man's fists.

"Gum Gum Gaitling!", Luffy shouts, aiming a multitude of punches at Tsuna.

Who dodged weaved and blocked the blows both with and without his flames.

"Gum Gum Pistol!"

But Tsuna took a step back, catching Luffy's hand by the wrist, and refusing to let go.

"Did you seriously think I'd just stand around and let you punch me!?", Tsuna shouts, other hand coming up and grabbing Luffy's arm before swinging the rubber man off his feet and with a mighty swing, threw him off to the side like a rag doll.

Taking advantage of Luffy being hair born, Gokudera took aim, and fired multiple shots of his Dying Will Flames at the Straw Hat. Luffy held his hat on to his head with one arm, while the other stretched out, grabbing on to the wall and pulling him to the side and away from the flying attacks, Luffy landed on the ground, rolling back on to his feet.

"I'm not just gonna stand around and take your attacks either.", Luffy smirked, "I'm gonna kick both of your guy's asses and get back Lambo!"

Luffy went flying at the two.

…...

Lambo sat up after reappearing in the present. Only to find himself in his bed, in his room, his hammock that he created is torn down and thrown off to the side. He'd be a little more upset of that, if weren't for the fact that Lambo plans to leave anyway.

Today.

Throwing off the covers Lambo got out of bed, the moment he did, he felt the whole mansion rumble, a large smirk slowly crept up Lambo's lips. There's a fight going on, enough have broken out between the Vongola Guardian's in the mansion that Lambo has long known whenever one breaks out, much less multiple.

And Lambo has a pretty good idea who the fights are between. So much for a Gala of peace then. Lambo chuckled to himself, guess he really did ruin the Gala this time, and he doesn't even care. In fact, Lambo is absolutely delighted by this fact.

Past Gokudera's words rang clearly in Lambo's ears, 'Kick our asses stupid cow.'

Lambo looked out the window, storm clouds already slowly forming over Vongola, rain falling down from the sky. The droplets slamming into Lambo's window, a flash of lightning, closely followed by loud rolling thunder.

Without even a second thought, Lambo put on his horns then threw off his jacket and took off the chain that held 'his' Vongola ring, stuffing it in his pocket as Lambo crept to his door.

He gave the handle a test jiggle, absolutely unsurprised by the locked door. Lambo's eyes lowered to the crack underneath the door, where light is shining through, he can see two shadows from underneath. Two men are guarding his door.

No matter, that won't even be a hinderance, once upon a time, maybe it was.

But now, things are different. A lot different.

Dying Will Flames now sparking around Lambo's form as he took a couple steps away from the door. Then, Lambo lunged forward, his foot slamming just underneath the handle, green lightning dancing around it, and the door, quite literally, exploded with green lightning. Lambo heard shouts as the door shattered into pieces, the wood flying everywhere as Lambo marched through the smoke, never feeling freer than he does now.

Looking down, Lambo spotted the unconscious forms of Fuuta and Haru, of course they were the ones left to watch him. Lambo quickly checked them over, nodding to himself when he confirmed what he already thought. Both alive, relatively unharmed, just unconscious.

Lambo looked up, eyes narrowing down the hall in the direction he knew the ball room to be.

It's time to rejoin the crew.

With the help of his flames, although not too much, because Lambo didn't want to tire himself too quickly before fighting, Lambo sped forward, sprinting through the halls of the Vongola mansion, dodging and passing everyone in his way. They aren't important to him right now. What's important is the fights going on between the Vongola Guardians and the Straw Hat pirates. Lambo's nakama.

Lambo skidded past a corner, only to yelp as a sharp pain shot through his arm. Grabbing the origin of the pain, Lambo scrambled back as the familiar sound of a pistol went off. The teen just barely went back to the corner he turned past earlier when several more shots were fired in his direction, luckily none hit this time.

Removing his hand, Lambo checked his injury, sighing in relief when he realized it was just graze on the side of his arm, just above the elbow. It still hurt like hell though.

Slowly, Lambo peeked around the corner just in time to see Reborn finish reloading his pistol and aiming it at Lambo once again. Eyes widening, Lambo pulled back just in time for Reborn to empty another clip into the wall and corner the teen hid behind.

"You should give up now stupid cow.", Reborn states tonelessly, "Any minute now, that pirate crew of yours will be defeated, down on their knees before Tsuna. So just stop wasting our time stupid cow."

Listening intently, Lambo waited for when Reborn needed to reload again before making his move.

"You underestimate them.", Lambo states, voice clear and confident, "You underestimate me. But don't worry."

Fortunately for him, he didn't have to wait for long.

"You aren't the first to do so."

The moment Lambo heard the 'click' of an empty chamber, he lunged out, aiming a punch right for Reborn's jaw, and somehow managing to land it.

Reborn stumbled back, eyes narrowing and a sneer appearing on his lips when Lambo lunged again, not wanting to lode the advantage he had gained from his surprise. But he was already too late, for Reborn had quickly recomposed himself and easily dodged Lambo's punches, strikes, and kicks, reloading his gun as he did so.

Once Reborn finished reloading, he stopped playing defense and went straight for offense.

Lambo didn't stand a chance.

Just as he aimed another punch at the Arcobaleno, Reborn stepped back, grabbing his wrist with one hand and pulling Lambo stumbling forward, his gut ramming right into Reborn's ready knee. While Lambo coughed and gasped from the blow, Reborn stepped around him so that he was now facing the teen. He punched Lambo once, twice, in the jaw, another knee to the side, a kick to the back of his knee, causing it to give out from under Lambo.

Getting behind Lambo, Reborn twisted the Lightning Guardian's arm behind him in a painful arm lock. Lambo gritted his teeth, but with quick maneuverability, Lambo somehow managed to untwist his arm and kick Reborn in the gut. Allowing the teen to leap back putting more space between the two in doing so.

Lambo clutched his side as he breathed heavily, wincing in pain as he searched for a strategy that could help him incapacitate Reborn long enough to rejoin his crew in the ballroom.

Unfortunately, Reborn wasn't giving Lambo the time to do so, already speeding forward. Lambo ducked then blocked the first two strikes, throwing a quick jab of his own, but Reborn spun around and past Lambo's arm, elbowing Lambo in the face then kicking the teen in the face. Causing Lambo to stumble back into the wall behind him.

Reborn's arm struck, pining Lambo by the neck as Reborn held him against the wall, his pistol pointed right at the teen causing Lambo to freeze, his eyes staring right into Reborn's cold uncaring ones.

"No one's here to help you, stupid cow.", Reborn says coldly, flicking off the safety of his pistol in warning, "I told you to give up when you had a chance."

Then a dark avenging demon appeared from out of nowhere from behind Reborn.

The Arcobaleno's eyes widened as he turned around just as something hard and metallic smashed into his jaw. Throwing Reborn off Lambo, and sending him flying back down the hall from where Lambo had come from.

Lambo fell to the floor, clutching his sore, and most likely now bruised neck, staring up at a stoic, and protective, Hibari in both shock and relief.

"Hi-Hibari?", Lambo croaks.

Hibari turns back to Lambo, giving him a reassuring and confident nod.

"Go.", Hibari instructed the awestruck teen, "Your nakama is looking for you."

Lambo grinned, not needing to be told twice as he scrambled back up to his feet and sprinted down the hall, becoming a streak of lightning in his rush to get to the ballroom much sooner.

"Hn.", Hibari smirks approvingly before turning back to a pissed off Reborn.

"What the hell do you think you're doing Hibari?", Reborn hissed as he slowly pushed himself back up to his feet.

Hibari's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"What I should've done years ago Arcobaleno.", Hibari growls as he holds up his tonfa's up and at the ready.

"And what, pray tell, may that be?", Reborn asks mockingly as he aimed his pistol right at the Cloud Guardian.

"I'm here to bite you to death.", Hibari declared.

A gunshot rang out loudly in the hallways of the Vongola's mansion

...

Luffy breathed heavily as his eyes kept flickering between his two opponents once more. He can't seem to really figure out how to take out both of them. Especially since he really wants to kick Tsuna's ass specifically.

But every time Luffy focuses on one, the other would just strike from behind or from a distance.

Something needs to happen if Luffy wants to win this and kick Tsuna's ass like he's been promising himself he would sense this whole stupid Gala started in the first place.

With a shot, Tsuna fired a wave of flames at Luffy from his gauntlets, the rubber man leapt back and managed to dodge the attack in time, but it was a trick!

Luffy turns, too late, to see Gokudera flying from the side behind Luffy, arm pulled back, his fist encased in that stupid Dying Will Flame thing Lambo had explained a while back.

The strike would've hit too.

But the moment Gokudera got a foot away from Luffy, the side doors burst open and a large streak of lightning zipped in.

"DON'T TOUCH MY SKY!"

Lambo was suddenly next to the silver haired man, spinning in midair as he kicked Gokudera right in the face. The Storm Guardian bounced back, tumbling harshly across the rubble and messy state of the floor.

Green lightning still sparking all around Lambo's body, the teen stood up from the crouch he landed in, jade eyes glaring down at Gokudera's wheezing and coughing form as he slowly pushed himself back up to his feet.

"I'll handle Gokudera.", Lambo tells Luffy confidently, "You just focus on kicking Tsuna's ass."

For a moment, Luffy just stared at his crewmate, then he started laughing loudly, a large grin encompassing his entire face.

"I wouldn't have it any other way!", Luffy declared with his signature grin, "Gum Gum...!"

Luffy's arms stretched back towards Gokudera, who flinched back, expecting an attack, only to gape at the true target of Luffy's next attack.

"Tenth-!"

It was too late to warn Vongola's Decimo.

"Rocket!"

Luffy's hands shot forward, Tsuna's eyes widened in realization, too late, as the palms of Luffy's hands slammed into the man's chest, sending him flying back and straight through the wall behind him. Luffy gave chase, following close behind the flying Decimo.

Gokudera was about to follow, but Lambo quickly stepped in his way, eyes burning in determination as he stared down one of his main tormentors. The Storm Guardian's eyes narrowed as he returned the hard stare.

"Sky, huh?", Gokudera questions in disbelief.

"Yep."

Gokudera sighs, "C'mon kid, you can't be that stupid. This lot are just using you. They're pirates for amor di Dio." (God's sake)

"How can they be using me if I'm nothing without you guys?", Lambo countered hotly.

"Just listen, the Tenth, and Vongola, know what's best for you kid. We've seen your future.", Gokudera insists.

"And a set of Vongola from the past have figured out this future.", Lambo snarls, "And let me tell you, they aren't happy about. They've made quite a few changes I heard on my last trip because of it."

Gokudera sighs, not believing Lambo's 'tale' of his trip to the past, "We just need to make sure it everything stays alright and your future remains the same."

Lambo snarled, his hands turning into tight white knuckled fists, "No. You don't get to decide that for me. What you guy's saw was just one potential future out of many. And because of the way you all have become, have treated me, Tsuna is no longer my sky. Luffy is."

"So what? You're going to leave your home? You're family?", Gokudera asks incredulously.

"What home? What Family!?", Lambo practically roars as he points at Gokudera with finality, "Now listen here, I have a new sky now, and it's that Straw Hat wearing pirate, you hear me!? I'm that God Damn Straw Hat's Guardian!"

"That's no your choice to make!", Gokuder shouts angrily, his flames flying wildly from his anger.

Lambo laughed mockingly, before he glared at Gokudera with blazing eyes, voice strong as he spoke, "After everything you all put me through, you guys, Vongola, don't get to decide what happens to me or my future. It's my future! And I'm Taking Hold Of The Reins! I Decide What Happens To Me! It's My Choice! NO ONE GETS TO TELL ME WHAT MY FUTURE IS! I'LL MAKE IT MY OWN! My future, My CHOICE!"

Gokudera couldn't help but stare at Lambo with wide eyes, never before seeing this side of the teen before. It threw the Storm Guardian for a total loop. To him, this is way out of Lambo's character. But, in all honesty, Gokudera didn't really care.

Instead, he was pissed off by the gall, Lambo had to disrespect Tsuna and all of Vongola like he has and currently been doing this entire day. Ever since Lambo has gotten back from his 'vacation'.

Gokudera's eyes narrowed dangerously as he growled, "So be it, stupid cow. Don't come crying to me when I hit you too hard."

Lambo's Dying Will Flames flared in challenge.

"Come and get me meat head!", Lambo shouts, a wild grin now taking up his face.

And thus, the battle has begun.

Author's Note:

Hi guys! I know it's been a while, I think it's been a month or two, but I wanted to be absolutely sure about this chapter before I posted it. So thank you all for waiting so patiently, I hope the wait was worth it.

(I felt like it was, at the very least. Lol 😂)

Now, with Lambo's moment with the Gokudera from the past, I really hope I didn't bring that out of nowhere, I like to think I didn't anyway. But I wanted Lambo to have closure on both ends, both his past and future has haunted the teen for years, and this arc is going to help him heal. At first, I wanted to do Tsuna, but even though he took care of Lambo and basically adopted little Lambo as his little brother, it didn't feel completely right, and to me Hibari doesn't show actually interest or care later. The others didn't feel like they were close enough, then I thought of Gokudera. In a way, I feel like the two are very much alike, it's why they clash so much in the anime. You have siblings that show love through affection, and then you have siblings that show love through banters and fights. I researched a little more on Gokudera's and Lambo's relationship to make sure I wasn't taking this out of the ball park, but one sight literally said that they are like brothers who bater and constantly insult one another. And I felt like, for something like this, Gokudera would be perfect for Lambo's trip to the past.

Speaking of the past, I wrote it the way I did because I felt like there are more than just one front that Lambo needed closure on. And so far, Lambo's gotten the closure he needed from the past, thanks to Gokudera, and, as you can tell, he is about to get the closure he needs for the future as well.

The matches have been set; do you like who've I picked for the battles? With Nami fighting two people, she's usually always the one that is kidnapped, in danger, or the damsel in distress in way or another. The anime does a good job of making it so she's not helpless or out of character, but you do start to feel bad for Nami after a while.

Nami is a bad ass and we all know it. I just wanted to show it a little more by having her take down two strong high ranking Vongola members like the bad ass we all know she is. I hope you like that.

Besides those couple of things, everything else is pretty much self-explanatory and I feel really proud of this chapter. And I hope you guys enjoyed reading it as much as I had writing it.

Be Your Best You! Bye!