Disclaimer: I don't own KHR or stuff.

Word Count: 7982

Part 31: Let's Figure This One Out

"Oi, Natsume!" Hayato called after the girl, catching her just in time as she left the school building. The light haired girl looked around until she spotted him and headed towards him, greeting him with sighed 'ayy' and a soft smile.

"Practice?" he asked, eyeing her duffle bug.

"We do have a game in less than two weeks."

"Should you be really pushing it so hard then?"

"Should you really be asking me that?" Natsume countered, crossing her arms against her chest, earning a huff of 'whatever' from the silver haired teen. She left it, knowing that she could probably fluster him a little more if she pushed, but it wasn't the moment. "You weren't here today, what's up?"

"What are you doing after practice?"

Natsume raised a brow, though she didn't bat an eye, someone was bound to come ask her for something….right?

"Wondering around, why?"

"Convince the idiot cow not to fight tonight."

"Awwe, Hayato you do care~"

"Shut up! The kids a brat, but he doesn't deserve whatever that creep has in store for him!" Hayato's stance became a little tenser, his shoulders held higher and his hands clasped tightly into fists at his sides. "You…you can hide him, can't you? Like you did that one time during –"

"I can't interfere like that," Natsume cut him off, looking away from the teen, trying to avoid the taken back look that Hayato was giving her. She took in a deep breath, glancing back at the teen, who was silently judging her (he looked so calculating and she was reminded that he was more than just a hotheaded and stubborn teen, he was intelligent and could come up with a strategy that more often than not worked against whatever Reborn had had in store for them.)

"Yeah they wouldn't fall for that…."

"Hayato I have to go, I'll see you later, yeah?" and she left, saying the last bit over her shoulder.

Hayato watched her go. He cricked his neck to the side, sighing at the audible pops and let his body fall into a slouch. Perhaps the tenth would be able to convince the cow brat, though knowing the stubborn kid, he wouldn't budge and would try to insist that he was quite capable.

Well, he knew that Natsume wouldn't leave Lambo fending for himself.

She just wasn't the type to leave those she considered family to situations like that.

With that thought he turned on his heel, not wanting to be found out by Hibari and pulled into a fight with the head prefect. Once he was off the grounds, a cigarette was already between his lips, puffs of smoke trailing out of the corner of his mouth.

"Ready brat?" the tall, brunet man asked him, nose wrinkling in distaste as he realized Hayato was smoking. "Those things will kill you, eventually."

"Che," Hayato pulled the cigarette from his mouth, keeping it between his pointer and middle finger, thumb unconsciously tapping against it to be rid of the excess ash. "You ready to teach me now?"

The man huffed, crossing his arms against his chest, shaking his head side to side as he did so, "Your eyes and ears are open, but you still don't pay attention do you?"

"Well?"

"Hah, you never change do you, still a brat as always."

The pair began to walk, Hayato not bothering to answer that, though he did catch when the man kept his gaze on a pair of woman that had passed by, "Just like you, eh pervert?"

"Ah, you don't want to be like me kid."

Hayato didn't comment on that, letting the banter end as the two headed towards their usual practice area. It was near where Tsuna was training, though not close enough that the two would be distracted by whatever odd noise came from their respective places.

For the next two hours, Hayato would focus on getting down whatever Shamal was trying to teach him, until then he would put Lambo and the upcoming Lightening battle aside.

/ | \

"Short practice today!" one of the girls cheered happily, "So glad that's over!"

Natsume let the locker room chatter wash over her, more focused on the phone in her hand. She had gotten one of Longchamp's pictures, showing him and Pantera (who didn't seem happy at all that the red head had his arm thrown around her shoulders) while he threw up a peace sign, tongue sticking out as he did so.

'Day one of Tokyo Disney complete!'

She struggled a bit, but she managed to send an emoji that hopefully reflected how she felt about him rubbing it in his face that he was at Disney (the little face looked like it was crying ( ; o ; ).)

"Alright girls, listen up, practice was short today only because coach had to be somewhere," Mirai spoke up, getting everyone's attention. Natsume snapped her phone shut, pocketing the light pink device in her back pocket without much thought. "It'll be another hour again tomorrow, off Sunday and then we'll resume our usual practice hours."

The platinum blond (whose roots were beginning to show, but would probably get them done in time for the big game) seemed to be pretty energetic, compared to her usual quiet demeanor (Kato-senpai was the more energetic one of the two, always offering advice and support, meanwhile Mirai-senpai…well….no one wanted to get lectured by her, she was very passionate and always seemed to go a bit more 'beyond' the proper amount of energy the sport needed.)

"Rest up and take good care of yourselves!" Kato reminded everyone, her short purplish hair for once not in her face and held back by a headband. "Keep doing the stretches and your muscles won't hate you as much when you push them!~"

There was a chorus of 'aye, aye captain' that had the third year rolling her eyes, "Alright, alright, see all of your lovely faces tomorrow then!"

With that dismissal, everyone returned to what they had been doing, some of the girls leaving, while others finished up getting into their casual clothes.

"Oh hey there little fella, are you lost?"

"I'm looking for Sawada Natsume."

"Sawada, there's someone here for you," Kato's voice was loud enough for everyone to hear and some of the girls snickered, knowing that she liked to take her time in leaving, even if she was already dressed.

"See you all tomorrow," She said to the two beside her, who responded in similar. Natsume picked up her bags and shouldered them, heading towards the entrance where Reborn was waiting for. "Why are you here?"

"Tsuna's training was finished earlier than usual; I was going to suggest you go see him."

Natsume stepped out, not at all enjoying the heat that she felt. She pulled a little at the collar of her shirt, billowing it a little to get a bit of air going, "I feel like that's a lie."

Reborn only smiled innocently up at her, "I don't know what you're talking about."

She crouched down, boldly tapping down the edge of his hat with her free hand so that it tilted forward, "Of course you don't," she muttered, before standing up straight again. "If you want to play a game of telephone, I will be at home playing games with the kids."

'and figuring something out for Lambo.'

"You are mistaken that I will take part in such a childish game," she had turned her back on him, so she hadn't expected the kick to the head that he aimed at her. It earned him a whine though it seemed to be more out of annoyance than actual pain. Natsume turned around, both of her hands rubbing at the back of her head.

"You are a little shit."

"But I'm at least cute right?"

Natsume pretended to shudder, "You wish you were," she responded in accented English, looking at him over her shoulder. "Seriously didn't your mother ever teach you manners?"

Reborn shrugged beginning to walk towards the school gates and passing Natsume, who trailed after him, "I'm a self-made man."

Natsume made a disbelieving sound, but didn't comment on it (he was the claimed World's Greatest Hitman, the reception he had received at Mafia Land only further proved that he wasn't just all talk.)

"You're not going to go this way?" Reborn stopped as they exited school grounds, using his thumb to point to the left. The girl before him cocked her head to the side, brows slightly furrowed as she shook her head.

"I said I was going home, not to where Tsuna is."

"But he's your baby brother –"

"Okay and?"

Reborn pouted, using his childish looks to the best of his abilities only to get a raised brow from the girl, "Are you trying to throw a tantrum? Cause if you are, I think Lambo does it better." His expression smoothed out at that, as much as he liked using his situation to string people along to do as he wanted, he wasn't about to fall to the level of an actual child (especially one like Lambo.)

"I thought you would be there for Tsuna in his time of need?"

The fair haired brunette was confused, "I'm more worried about Lambo? Tsuna's capable of watching out for himself and if he can't he has you to make sure he doesn't fuck up," she pointed at herself, "I have nothing to do in this remember."

With that said she continued going right, towards her home, though she did pause, half turning to Reborn, "Plus if Tsuna really wanted to talk, he would have found me already."

Reborn watched her go, not at all moving from his spot; with a sigh the hitman went his own way, finding a decent alley way to go down. Indigo mist pooled at his feet and the image of Reborn faded, revealing a small cloaked baby.

"Shishi, didn't fall for it did she?"

The baby sniffed, floating up so that they could be eye level with the blond princeling, "More that she was stubborn." For a second they had thought the girl had been on to them, but there was no way, Mammon was too good to be caught by that.

"Maybe I should –"

"No, we're going back to the hotel."

"Hmph!" The blond reached and grabbed the small baby, holding them close to his chest, one hand pinching at their cheek. "Stop that Bel!" The teen only giggled, though he did stop.

"She doesn't seem interesting anyways, don't know why the Boss wanted her checked out."

"Interesting or not, she's still that brat's sister and could stand in the Boss's way of achieving his dream."

Still there was something missing, they pushed it to the side, deciding not to dwell on it right now. All they knew is that they wouldn't be passing as Reborn any time soon, the hitman's charisma was way too much energy to replicate.

/ | \

"Ane home early," I-pin said, having peeked around Bianchi's legs to see who was at the door. The little Chinese girl went up to the teen, hand's reaching for hers.

"Hey, hey," Natsume greeted, not at all minding when Bianchi leaned down and kissed her cheek in greeting, her hand already holding onto I-pin's. "How was your week?"

Bianchi hummed, a sly smile on her lips, "Well you know, I met this lovely lady," here Bianchi got a dreamy look as she closed the door shut behind her, leaning back against it. "We had a sweet weekend together, but sadly it all came to an end."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Natsume responded, being sincere, letting go of I-pin's hand for a second as she set her bags down and bent down to unlace her shoes. She heard Bianchi sigh and wondered if Bianchi really was sad that she had left her lady friend behind.

"We fought towards the end, but it ended well on my part."

Wait a second "…Bianchi…."

"Hmm…"

"Did you have a work or did you honestly meet someone?"

Bianchi chuckled, reaching out and ruffling Natsume's hair, "Oh you're so cute, you know it's always work for me~"

"…."

"Besides I've already met the one for me."

Natsume face palmed, the palm of her hand rubbing against the bridge of her nose. She made a face and mouthed along with Bianchi, "Reborn~"

"Say I-pin let's go play some games yeah?"

"I'll tell Lambo and Fuuta," the little girl said, running off to get the other two boys, leaving Natsume with Bianchi.

The younger teen turned to the older one, a thoughtful look on her face, "Do you just get used to it…this life.."

Bianchi crossed her arms beneath her chest, head tilted to the side as she considered Natsume's question. The eighteen year old could only shrug, "I was raised in it, so there was never really getting used to anything; it's just always been the way."

Bianchi lightly nibbled on her lower lip, "Perhaps that is a question for your father?"

Natsume rubbed the back of her head, "…I guess…"

The magenta haired woman uncrossed her arms, putting an arm around Natsume's shoulders as she led the girl further out of the way front doorway, "Never guess, always do."

"Don't I do that already?"

Bianchi chuckled, "Do you think so?"

"Ehh, I guess."

Bianchi reached up with her right hand and pinched Natsume's cheek, "Brat, go on up, I'm sure the kids are waiting for you."

"Fine, fine, I'll see you at dinner yes?"

The magenta haired woman nodded and the younger teen left, heading upstairs to meet up with the three kids. The sliding door leading to the back opened up, Nana coming in, the tinkle of Natsume's cat's collar sounded and Nana could be seen shaking her head.

"You have too much fun harassing the little animals don't you?"

"Auntie," Bianchi greeted, leaning on the back of the couch, getting the older woman's attention. It was always nice to see how calling Nana 'Auntie' always made her seem brighter, or when her mood was down how easily it was picked up by the simple name.

"Bianchi, it's nice to see you," the brunette greeted in return, "I'm going to wash up, do you mind taking out the pork I have in the freezer?"

"Of course, Auntie."

"Thank you."

Hm, maybe this time Nana would let her cook along with her, or at least make her own portion for herself. It was still a work in progress, but she was getting better at keeping her food from becoming tainted as it was prone to become due to her fluctuating flames.

Bianchi stared at her hands after setting the frozen meat in the sink and began filling it with hot water, maybe one day she'd be able to cook without fear of accidentally poisoning those she loved.

She wouldn't want anyone to end up like Hayato had, someone who could barely stomach her presence.

She clasped her hands, nails digging into the meaty part of her palm, one day.

Part 32: This is a Game (A Very Bad Game)

"The prince demands a gift!" Lambo cried, ignoring his ane's giggling and Fuuta rolling his eyes. The six year old huffed, stomping his feet as he crossed his arms against his chest and pouted angrily at his sister. "Ane you're supposed to play along!"

"You just looked so cute!" Natsume cooed, reaching forward to poke Lambo's cheek. She bit on her tongue to refrain from saying anything else; instead continuing on the game I-pin had suggested they play. "O-of course my prince!" She turned to Fuuta, who was her helper in this little skit they were doing and opened the lid of the small treasure box he held.

She picked out a simple red woven bracelet that had smaller red and black coral charms – she had picked this up at Kawahira's shop, the bracelet reminding her of ones that she used to see her smaller cousins wearing to protect them from 'evil eye' (she could barely hear the voice of a friend judging Jasmine for her belief, but it was custom to have a newborn or young child wear a bracelet with a black coral charm, or to cut a piece of red yarn roll it up and stick it to the child's forehead for protection against mal de ojo)

"A bracelet for protection, to keep the bad glares and others negative feelings from hurting you, my prince," she explained as she tightened the end strings of the bracelet, making sure that Lambo himself would not be able to tug it off.

Lambo pulled his hand away, looking closely at the bracelet, before giving a snooty nod, "This is fine….for now."

And he moved onto I-pin, who offered a short demonstration of her martial arts.

"Maybe I should have said to play a board game instead," Fuuta whispered to Natsume, who shook her head as she bit her lip to keep from laughing. "Lambo still likes to boss others around."

"It's play for now," she responded, taking the small treasure box from Fuuta. She moved herself, getting off her knees as they were starting to hurt and sat down on her bottom, letting the box rest atop her lap. "Or is the real prince here jealous he couldn't play the part?"

Fuuta pouted a pink blush on his cheeks, "I would be a nicer prince than Lambo."

Natsume chuckled, tugging at the back of the nine year olds shirt and having him sit beside her, "To each their own."

"Ane and Fuuta are really bad at this game," Lambo's voice piped up, his annoyance clear; especially with the way he crossed his arms and was childishly glaring at them.

"I guess I wasn't made for acting," Natsume sniffed, her hand coming as if to wipe away a tear. "So sad to find out this way."

Lambo frowned, "Ne, ne, I-pin lets go play outside, they suck."

"Let's try to find Emi!"

"Hey, leave my cat out of this you two!" but her warning fell on deaf ears as the two bounded off, in search for the amber eyed house cat. "Guys!" Natsume groaned, holding her head in her hands, if they returned to her crying about scratches again, she was just going to say I told you so.

"You've gotten better, Tsume-nee."

"Oh? It's Tsume-nee now?"

The nine year old smiled up at her, the boy looked much older than he should for a split second, before he shook his head, "Yeah, you and Tsuna-nii…I feel better around you two."

Awe, that was the sweetest thing.

Wait…did she have a soft spot for kids?

She ignored that thought, instead musing up Fuuta's hair, earning a soft cry from the boy, "I guess you're not that weird either, little brothers tend to be odd."

Tsuna was a good example of that, wasn't he?

Or was she just thinking that her brother was weird.

He did have a habit of sprouting flames, almost like that one character from the Fantastic Four. She should comment on that little power of his, just to give herself a giggle.

"You're just as weird, Tsume-nee."

"Hey, we're all a little weird, so it's okay."

/ | \

"Oh hey, its tall, dark and jacked up," Natsume commented to Takeshi, noting the nicks on the teen's arms. Her gaze moved to the handle of the shinai that was shouldered over his back, before back to him, "Do you need band aids?"

Takeshi blinked, looking at his forearms before shaking his head, "No, Tsuna wanted me to get Lambo."

"And where is this brother of mine?" Natsume asked, not budging from the doorway, crossing her arms beneath her chest and giving Takeshi a tight lipped smile. Takeshi didn't know how to feel about being on the receiving end of Natsume's narrowed stare, he reached out poked her forehead, and her expression shifted to slightly annoyed. "Really, do you have to do that?"

"Its just there, to poke," the baseball player explained lamely, enjoying the shift from annoyed to deadpan. Really he didn't understand why people used to say she looked mean – well yeah, she had a mean look to her sometimes – but she also did happen to show a lot of expression.

Then again, maybe its because they had been friends for over a year now, and if one knew how to read Tsuna, it made it a bit easier to pick up on Natsume's cues.

"Hey!" he moved back away from her prodding finger that she had poked into his stomach. She merely gave him an insincere smile.

"Oh I'm sorry –"

"Tsume~~ Is this your boyfriend?"

"Papa," she looked a little thrown off by the sudden appearance of her father and Takeshi took that moment to straighten up and maybe ignore the feel as if his ears were on fire by that comment Iemitsu had made. "Go back to sleep old man, you bother less when you're snoring."

Iemitsu rested an arm against the top of his daughter's head (she was still short, sooner or later he wouldn't be able to do this), "Come now Tsume, don't be shy; your Papa won't tease you."

"You know what, I'm not even going to bother," Natsume muttered, shaking her head so that her father's arms would fall away. "Is Tsuna outside?"

Takeshi nodded, "Yeah."

"He does realize its nearly eleven at night right? Lambo's sleeping…I don't think he –"

"Natsume," Iemitsu interrupted, already knowing where his daughter was going with this. "Lambo at least has to appear and hand over his half of the ring." Iemitsu held up his hands, now under his daughter's gaze. "I don't make the rules."

Natsume couldn't quite help the way her mouth curled up into a sneer, knowing her cop out hadn't worked, "I'm going then, to make sure Lambo stays safe when he hands over the ring."

"Didn't he say he wanted to fight?"

"He is six, he will listen to me, if not, someone better have mercy, because its not going to be me," Natsume grouched out as she headed back inside the house and upstairs to get Lambo. The two that were left behind stared, Takeshi already used to a grouchy and moody Natsume and Iemitsu feeling pleased at the care his daughter showed the young Bovino child.

The blond turned back to the teen before him; giving the teen another once over as he never really had a chance to actually talk to his son's selected guardians. "She's so cute when she gets all pouty like that, isn't she?"

"More like scary," Takeshi honestly answered, rubbing the back of his head, showing his nerves at talking with the twin's father.

"Oh no, she's not scary, she's like a kitten – violently playful," Iemitsu wheezed out at the end, when Natsume appeared again, digging her elbow into his side. Lambo was in her arms, head laid out against her shoulder and crossed over her body was her usual gym bag. "My little girl is so mean."

"It's how I show love," she blandly commented, gazing up at him, "Are you going?"

"In a bit…."

Natsume nodded, stepping out of the house, "I have everything Lambo will need in case he decides to be stubborn or just for whatever happens."

"I don't think it's allowed for those not….." Takeshi trailed off, when Natsume finally turned to him, brow raised. Well, it was always nice to have others around to lean on when things got tough, by the situation they were in, things were an absolute mess.

"Leggo~"

/ | \

"I want to fight!" Lambo yelled, wiggling around in Natsume's arms, when asked if he just wanted to hand over the ring and not bother fighting the creepy looking dude.

"Because watching an old creep fight a six year old is something I want to see," Natsume said loud enough for it to reach the Varia's Lightening.

"Oh, see even other people agree Levi!" laughed out the blond, making the older man's eyebrow twitch. Brats, all of them, rude and disrespectful, he didn't care what other people thought, but surely they would understand why he was doing this?

Xanxus deserved the seat of Decimo so much more than the brown haired shit stain before him and if it was demanded of him to fight and take down a child to assure his Boss' want, Levi would do everything in his power to do so.

"I can prove it against stinky face!" Lambo turned around after handing his half of the ring to one of the Cervello, while the other took his hand and led him into the gated arena. A tall fence had been set up on the roof of the school, it rose up from the ground a foot or two and if the by the whirring sounds that it was making, Natsume was going to assume that it was going to be a literal Lightening round.

"Lambo –"

"No Tsuna-nii! I can!"

"The idiot cows being a brat, you can step in whether he likes it or not," Hayato grouched out, the cigarette between his lips bouncing up and down as he spoke.

"If anyone other than the contestants enters the staging area, that side will be disqualified for this round."

"Does it matter?" Natsume asked, staring down the pink haired women, no one could see the way her hands fisted, her nails digging into her palm, having put them in the pocket of her burgundy hoodie. "That creep wants blood either way; he'll find a way to get it."

"That's cold, Natsume," Takeshi responded, wouldn't it be better for the other guy to come after them? They had already fought with him once, he was sure they could take him on again. The girl didn't even bother to look at him, just staring straight ahead as the fight between the two was explained.

"Begin!"

A generator was turned on, making the whirring sound coming from the staging area roar to life, drowning out everyone's voices. The chain-link of the fences could be seen passing current, the faint whitish blue coloring of it sparking out every now and then.

The floor that was beneath Lambo and Levi glowed with a similar coloring, certain areas of the floor opening up at random and shooting up a small pillar of pure electricity; Levi pulled out two of his parabola's, sticking it in one of the open spaces that had opened up, keeping an ongoing flare of electricity, that began to power his weapons for his attack.

Seriously they had made this too easy for him and the little brattling was going to get a quick death, just so Levi wouldn't have to hear it from the others that he took his time beating down on a kid.

(Weren't they all doing that anyways? It was just his luck that the brat was fucking six years old.)

"Oh shit," Hayato cursed, when he dug into his pocket and instead of pulling out his cigs, he pulled out a crusted looking horn. His hand clenched tightly around the bull horn and looked intently at Lambo as he realized his mistake. A hand settled on his shoulder and he turned to Takeshi, who had reached around to place a hand on his shoulder to get his attention. The baseball player raised a brow and Hayato could only shake his head. The dark haired teen's movement caught Natsume's attention who looked between the two, before resuming back to the yet to begin fight.

"Fucking fry him already Levi!" Squalo called, annoyed that the man was taking so long, his shouting just barely heardd over the loud, thunderous roar of the stage.

Lambo watched the man, whipping up his parabola and aiming the tip of it at him and watched as a streak of green tinted electricity bound its way over to him. The six year old yelled, ducking beneath it, feeling his hairs stand on end as the electricity grazed him.

Okay, maybe he regreted not listening to Ane, but, he had too! He had to prove himself, to Tsuna-nii and Ane, he had to show them that he was happy and willing to do anything for them. He was small and maybe a bit of a crybaby, but he knew honor (which had been ingrained into him since his lessons as an assassin began) and he, he was very honored (no, no, nonono, he was happy, he had people he could call family, that didn't care what he did, that didn't expect anything from him, that just wanted him to be happy.)

He sniffled, feeling the stress of the situation, digging into his hair (when was the last time he had done that?) and pulled out a pink smoke grenade, that he quickly undid and threw as hard as he could at Levi. When the smoke burst, covering the area, Lambo moved quickly, reaching for his bazooka – he was too small, too weak to do anything, but his older self…..he was supposed to be a cool, strong guy right?

That guy had to have the ring, so maybe he could do something against this creep.

The smoke barely cleared when another explosion went off and Levi caught the slight scent of grape among the pink smoke and was surprised when he came face to face with an older looking version of the brat.

"That's cheating!"

"It is the same person and it happened within grounds, it is allowed."

Tsuna could have let himself fall over from the sheer relief he felt, maybe, the sixteen year old Lambo was capable of doing what his younger self wasn't at all.

He just hoped he didn't ruin the teen's future.

/ | \

Five minutes slowly ticking away and Natsume wondered if this version of Lambo was capable of fighting the other sides Lightening. When the teen flicked his wrist out, a wispy version of his horn appearing on his hand before he stomped over on one of the ducts, the pressure forcing it open and coating the Italian teen with electricity,

"You haven't changed much, Levi," Lambo muttered to himself as he ducked beneath the man's swing, said man having grown tired of waiting on him (so impatient, shouldn't he know patience?) Lambo pushed both his hands out, putting as much force and focusing much more of his energy to guide the electricity that was circling his body and forcing it out of his hands, into the man in front of him.

Levi grunted, not used to the amount of electricity that pumped into him and if he froze for a second, his muscles contracting and refusing to move, who could blame him? (The Varia, would actually for not being smarter.)

Lambo moved, almost as if he was gliding around Levi and kicked the man's knee out, forcing him to go to the floor.

Three minutes, he had to make this count.

He reached into his pocket, pulling out a rather thick tube the size of a pencil; flicking his wrist once more, the tube elongated and he focused the last remaining bit of electricity into the small baton and used it to whack the back of Levi's neck.

Levi could feel himself blacking out (being forced too, by a god damn brat) and anger surged through him. The man roared, pure will guiding his body to move and used the parabola he still had in hand (his fingers had clenched tightly around it, he would have to replace the handle later on) and hit Lambo's side with it full force.

The teen felt a crack and then his body was rolling across the floor, watching as a ticked off Levi forced himself up, his movements jerky as he did so. When the man turned to him, Lambo caught the eerie green in his eyes and cursed.

Two minutes.

He didn't have time when Levi moved upon him, he didn't have time to load up the bazooka and shoot one final round. The sixteen year old wouldn't be able to get to the man again now that his guard was up and even if he could, Levi wasn't falling for it again.

One minute.

Oh shit.

This wasn't good.

"Call the fight!" he yelled.

He knew the Cervello had heard him, even if the stage they were on drowned out his words, they should know what he was saying, what he was trying to do. His back was to the others and he felt sick to his stomach. His hands began to shake as he watched Levi pull out the rest of his parabola's, he was done for, his younger self.

God dammit.

The bracelet around his right wrist jingled and he looked down at the gold plated bracelet, with black and red coral charms and he felt a sense of relief wash over him.

He could only hope that his Ane had given him that bracelet.

Levi was as much to warrant the protection that the bracelet offered. Lambo bowed his head, his other hand coming to clench at the cross that laid beneath his shirt, "God help."

A plume of pink smoke enveloped him once more, Levi's attack had already gone off and Tsuna and the others yelled as they saw the small outline in the pink smoke.

Reborn who had stood back with Dino, closed his eyes, pulling down the brim of his fedora to hide the sight he was about to witness.

He was too old for this.

There was a heavy silence once the attack dyed down, the stage having gone down from the amount of power being forced upon it.

"Lambo!"

"He yields," Natsume's voice called, shaking as she stalked towards the Cervello. The pink haired women watched as the Sky ring bearer followed behind her, a cross look on his features and the women didn't get the chance to say anything as Tsuna pretty much pushed past his sister and melted down the gate with a flare of his flames.

"The fighter himself is supposed to –"

"The fighter is passed out, it's over," Natsume hissed, glaring nastily at the woman as Tsuna moved through the field, ignoring Levi who had been thrown back and moving towards Lambo who was passed out on the floor.

The purple shield that had been erected kept sparking as Tsuna gingerly looked over Lambo. He wasn't hurt at all, he must have passed out from fright and even though it would probably scar the child, Tsuna was glad that he wasn't any worse off.

"The fight as it has not been called is over due to interference on behalf of the Sky ring bearer trespassing onto the field; the Lightening and Sky half of the rings are to be handed over from Vongola to the Varia."

"Oh go fuck yourself," Natsume cursed at them, flipping them off as she made her way over to Tsuna. She crouched beside Tsuna, who looked between her and the shield, was this the reason she hadn't fought that hard to keep Lambo from going into the fight? "Don't pick him up yet, we don't know if he hurt himself or anything."

"You think if we give the halves to Takeshi and ask him to throw them, they'll catch it?" Tsuna asked, slipping off the chain around his neck and holding it by the end so that the ring half dangled.

"That would be –"

Her comment was interrupted by mad laughter, which props, because who cackled like that anymore? (she did when the situation was hilarious, but she didn't find anything funny about this.) Tsuna honestly couldn't put his finger on why he was so calm, he had been shaking minutes earlier, ready to renounce everything, because he couldn't stand for this anymore.

He didn't know how his sister was staying so calm (when things like this happened she was the first to lash out, not even taking into account that the others were just saying mean words, instead of putting their hands on him. They had changed a lot hadn't they?)

A gun shot rang out and another barrier similar to the one that had begun to fall apart appeared, deflecting it away from them (if it happened to get Levi in the leg, Tsuna would just put it as his sister getting even in her own way.)

"The Sky half, Sawada Tsunayoshi," one of the pink haired Cervello approached him, while the other went to Levi to hand him his half of the ring.

"Oi, oi, tell him he finally has a ring to put on that stick up his ass," Natsume told the woman, the sound of her voice a touch different, almost hypnotic and the pink haired woman couldn't help but nod.

She was so petty.

But that lolo assed fuck face deserved it and if she relished a little in the backhand the man gave the woman, well, more fire against the man to hurt on the judge that was handing him his prize.

"Is this what Vongola stands for?" Tsuna yelled at him, mad that he had done as he had to the judge (Natsume would claim innocence, she had been joking, if the woman had the balls to do as she said well…..hahaha~)

Xanxus sneered down at Tsuna, looking away from the completed ring that now sat on his right hand's ring finger, "You think I give a shit? Scum like you don't know shit about this life," Xanxus gave a rather wicked grin, "I'm just helping you," and it was helping him out by getting what he deserved, no matter what, "Can't no one ever fucking appreciate the shit I do."

"You'll learn soon enough though," Xanxus said, eyeing Tsuna, his gaze flicking over to the spot Iemitsu had hidden himself in and Reborn. "Just like that old fool."

With that said, Xanxus left, the others minus Levi moving on, who hadn't been awake for the last half of what his Boss had said, his own body finally letting itself fall to the pain it had been subjected too.

"I feel like that was rather ominous," Natsume murmured quietly, her hands (which were shaking) reaching for Tsuna's and giving it a tight squeeze. Tsuna only sighed, squeezing back and turning to his sister, he moved forward slightly and let his forehead fall against her shoulder (she was taller than him now and he thought he had been growing.)

"This is exhausting," he commented into her shoulder, voice muffled. "Tsume…"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you for being here."

Lambo was still out, but he wasn't hurt physically, Tsuna may have lost his own ring, but as he felt hands on his back and he peered up to see Takeshi and Hayato standing beside him, even Ryohei, who hadn't been able to show up with the others because Kyoko had kept him back, had managed to make it and was standing to Natsume's right, the teen looking unusually solemn, but still there.

"….everyone too."

"Medic coming through," they all moved as a pair of medics came and picked Lambo up onto the stretcher, before carrying him away, Dino who had come up behind them the medics stayed with the group of teens, ruffling Tsuna's hair.

"Xanxus won't ever understand this," Dino murmured to Tsuna, once the teen straightened up, letting his big bro throw an arm around him, while the others began to move out. "Whatever happens little bro, I know that you can do it, because you get it."

"Get what exactly?" Tsuna grumbled, feeling exhausted, these battles were making him feel like an old man.

"Family."

Intermission 13

I'm trying to be strong for myself, for my friends and my family.

I want to be able to protect them, I want to be the person that they can look up too (that they can really, truly follow) and be worth it.

I was glad Natsume was there, but at the same time she shouldn't have had to do what she did. She didn't have to put herself in danger like that, not anymore, not after I've been distant with her the last couple of days.

Lambo shouldn't have had to be there either, but dad, he's an idiot, what the hell was he thinking? He's just so lucky that it didn't go as bad as it could have gone (Hayato says he went to Natsume, but knowing my sister she was already trying to figure out ways to make sure Lambo was fine…..how did she do it though?)

I don't like that every one of my friends is getting dragged into this, that they're putting themselves on the line for me. (How will I explain it to old man Tsuyoshi when Takeshi comes home hurt, how could I tell Kyoko that her brother joined me?)

I'm the one.

It's me.

I was chosen, even if I don't like it.

So it should have just been between me and Xanxus, none of these stupid battles that just served for them to beat down on us (a part of me whispered that it was better this way, I had more time to get better than I was before and every moment that passed, every thought I had of what could happen to my friends, gave me more push to be better, to prove that I was worth it.)

It's too late already to turn back – not when Mukuro already happened, not with Xanxus bearing down our necks. I have to go through with this.

I will prove to everyone that I am capable.

I will make my family proud.

Fuck Vongola, I will make sure that name burns and something better rises from the ashes.

Vongola will be…..reborn….

(….the thought was terrible, but it made me laugh.)

/ | \

The medics had cleared Lambo right away, though Levi had been taken off to who knows where (nobody cared though, so it really didn't matter that much.) Dino had been nice enough to drop them all off at the Sawada house, where Ryohei quickly laid out on the couch, Hayato throwing whispered curses at the white haired teen, while Takeshi just headed into the kitchen to make some tea.

Tsuna carried Lambo upstairs to tuck him into bed, not at all caring that it wasn't Natsume that was behind him but his father. He was careful in walking through the children's room and setting Lambo in, lingering around longer to check on the others before he made his way out.

He left the door slightly open and headed to his room, once again ignoring his father that had leaned against the wall beside his door. Iemitsu stuck is arm out, blocking Tsuna's way and the teen cast a rather dirty look up at him.

Well, he's faced worse he supposed.

"Can we actually talk, instead of this?"

"Define this," Tsuna nearly spat out, stepping back and crossing his arms, showing that he was going to be stubborn about it.

"This being you giving me a dirty look and trying to get away from me," Iemitsu answered, trying not to mimic his son (a habit he had picked up when dealing with others, it helped sometimes, most people didn't like it when others mirrored what they were doing.)

"I'm trying to get –"

"Into your room, which is away from me," Iemitsu interrupted, sighing a bit afterwards. "We will have to talk eventually; this will only get worse if you continue to act like this."

"Hie? So it's my fault because of how I am acting?" Tsuna questioned, though he tried to keep his voice down, the anger was evident. "You're the one who brought me into this, you're the one who has kept secrets, who always leaves us behind, and just because you want to talk you think you deserve to have me hear you out?"

"Tsunayoshi…"

"No, I will speak with you when I decide too, not because you decided too," his words were final and Iemitsu could sense that. The blond man nodded and headed downstairs, leaving his son to enter his room and probably scream his frustrations into his pillow.

When he came downstairs it was to find Takeshi and Natsume at the table sharing tea, the girl seeming unamused over something the other teen had said. Iemitsu passed by them, lightly patting his daughters head and murmured a goodnight to the rest of them, before heading towards Nana's room.

He supposed he may have closed the door a little too hard; Nana had stirred murmuring something out to him, before she settled back down. He went about taking off his suit in exchange for his nightclothes and settled on his stomach, enjoying the coolness of the pillow.

"Iemitsu?" Nana's sleep filled voice called out to him, one of her hands reaching out and settling on his shoulder. "Everything okay?"

"As fine as it could be, Nana," he answered, settling his head so that he could face her. "Nana…." He spoke up after a couple minutes, her hand having moved and was combing through his hair. His wife hummed and though he really couldn't see her in the dark, he could see her dark eyes, half lidded with sleep staring at him attentively. "….do you hate me?"

Nana shifted, moving over so that she could rest completely against Iemitsu, "Never," she answered, placing a kiss on his shoulder, she had given too much, had felt too much for this man to ever hate him. Yes, she was hurt that he had lied, but he was still her love. "Why do you ask?"

"Wouldn't it be better if you did?"

Nana chuckled, the sound rougher than usual due to her not really being that awake yet, "Let me guess, Tsunayoshi?"

"Good one."

"As fickle and as moody as Natsume has been known to be, you cannot forget that Tsunayoshi can be just as bad; give it time, Tsunayoshi will come to you when he's gathered himself."

She knew best, after spending her years with the kids, raising them and dealing with the headaches and bruises they brought along, but it wasn't as easily done as it was said, "Tsunayoshi –"

"Has my Papa's temper, he will come around when he has had time to cool off Iemitsu."

Would Tsuna ever come around? It didn't look like he would anytime soon.

"Husband,"

"Wife?"

"Go to sleep, I can hear you thinking."

Thoughts for tomorrow then.

/ | \

Just like that old fool.

Iemitsu sat up, pushing himself out of bed, making sure to swipe his phone from his nightstand and made his way out of Nana's room and headed outside. He was surprisingly hot, his dreams none existent, just a constant blankness accompanied by an uneasy feeling.

…like that old fool.

The grass was cool beneath his bare feet, the cool night breeze a welcome change and he pulled at his tank top, hoping to get some air as he fanned himself.

He pressed a button on the keyboard of his phone, bringing the device up to his ear, counted two rings before Oregano picked up and a simple, "Sir" was heard.

"Look into Nono without raising any alarms, something came up on my end and it is not sitting well with me."

"Of course Boss."

"With care, Oregano, I am trusting you."

The call ended there and Iemitsu sighed, his right hand falling at his side while the one that had been fanning his shirt settled on his hip. He had a feeling he'll be stepping on toes and breaking promises, but something about what Xanxus had said last night, the way he was so sure and so damned pleased over something, it didn't sit well with Iemitsu at all.

AN: Not as extreme of a meeting as it happened the first time I did this scene in the other story, but I think it goes alot better than before. Then again I've been sitting on this for awhile and just rereading, so its as close as to my liking as it'll get.

Lolo is Hawaiian and is used to either mean crazy or to refer to someone as stupid.

But yeah, uh, not much that I think I have to say, except I may have fallen into a small pit, but its getting fixed.

Anyways!

Thank you everyone for your kind words and reviews, the follows and favorites! :D You guys are great!

Til next time

Sorugao