Disclaimer ~ I do not own One Piece or Katekyo Hitman Reborn

Hibari Kyoya did not fear death. Being in the mafia, death was a common occurrence. Every mission. Every fight. There was always a risk of dying. A risk that was higher for some than for others, but a risk nonetheless. If Kyoya feared death then he wouldn't be himself anymore. Even now, with his life force draining with every drop of blood that fell, he still wasn't afraid. Instead, Kyoya felt regret. His death would cause his Sky to be sad.

For the past ten years, Kyoya has held the position of the Vongola Cloud Guardian. Allowing himself to be tied down to the only person that had earned his full trust and respect. Kyoya has been there from the beginning, watching as the cowardly herbivore grew into his fangs. And although Sawada Tsunayoshi had never shed his herbivorous side, he was just as deadly of a carnivore. The omnivore had given Kyoya freedom. He supplied Kyoya with many strong opponents and never once ordered him to do anything. Even if it was a serious issue, Tsunayoshi had always given Kyoya a choice. That, more than anything, was how the Sky had earned his Cloud's loyalty.

He knew he was dying. To think he had any chance at surviving was pointless. Not even Reborn or Ryohei would be able to heal him. The fist sized hole through his stomach wasn't something that could be fixed. The storm flames his opponent had used made sure of that, along with taking out several important organs. But even so, the wound wasn't remotely close to the pain Tsunayoshi and the others would feel due to his death.

Tsunayoshi's heart was filled with kindness and love and every bleeding heart emotion there was. Not even the blood filled world of the mafia had been able to take those emotions away from him. When he loved, he loved with everything he had. His heart was soft. But he was strong too. Kyoya knew that Tsunayoshi would move past his death. Probably not any time in the near future, but eventually the pain would fade.

"Omnivore," Kyoya coughed, feeling blood trickle from the corner of his mouth. Tsunayoshi knelt on the ground beside him and Kyoya basked in the feeling of his Sky's flames surrounding them. This would be the last time Kyoya would ever get to feel those flames. He would miss it.

"Kyoya no. Don't talk," Tsunayoshi said forcefully. Kyoya recognized the order in his voice. Of course. The first time Tsunayoshi would ever order Kyoya to do something, it would be not to die. Something that Kyoya had no control over.

"You and I both know I won't be recovering from this," Kyoya said, struggling to speak but with many things he still needed to say. His words hit Tsunayoshi hard. He shook his head, silently begging Kyoya. By this point, the rest of his fellow elements had finished their own battles and now surrounded the duo. Ryohei knelt on Kyoya's other side and started pumping sun flames into the wound, but it wasn't doing much. Ryohei seemed to realize this as well, for his expression hardened and the intensity of the flames grew stronger. Kyoya observed the increasing distress of his family and felt another pang of regret go through him. Even Mukuro looked pained.

"Don't say that Kyoya! You're going to be fine," Tsunayoshi said. The tears had started to fall, expressing his Sky's turmoil.

"Don't delude yourself Sawada Tsunayoshi," Kyoya said, using everything he had to keep his voice steady.

"Kyoya…You can't die," Tsunayoshi whispered. "I-I don't want to lose you too."
Kyoya raised a shaking, unsteady hand to place it on his Sky's shoulder.

"You haven't lost me. I'll be waiting for you to find me in the next life," Kyoya said. Tsuna's tears fell harder as he sobbed. He clutched Kyoya's hand to his chest tightly.

"Looking forward to it," Tsuna said, taking in a shuddering breath. The Sky gave him a watery smile. Obviously forced through his grief but still so full of love for Kyoya.

Kyoya turned his head enough that he could study the other guardians one last time as well.

"Hayato. Takeshi. Ryohei. Lambo. Chrome. Mukuro." Kyoya focused on each one as he spoke their name, drinking in the last look he would have of his family. "Take care of our Sky. If you don't…I'll bite you to death," Hibari vowed. His eyes locked onto the mismatched ones of Mukuro's, who nodded shortly.

"We won't let anything happen to him," the older Mist promised as his own tears finally fell. Although the two of them fought every chance they got, they had become close. After these ten years, you could almost call them friends. Kyoya knew Mukuro would keep his promise.

"Tsuna…Thank you…for giving me…a Family," Kyoya said, his breathing coming slower now. The last of his strength had faded. His time was up.

Hibari Kyoya did not fear death. Not when his final moments alive were spent with his family. Kyoya died protecting his Sky from a devastating attack. Kyoya died with a smile on his face, knowing Tsuna would live on.

Whew! Finally finished! I may have actually had the chapter finished two days ago, but it wasn't until just now that I got it typed up. I've been in a One Piece mood lately, so I decided to work on this fic a bit. I had this chapter rewritten in a single day, and I'm just sitting here wondering why I'm getting the most motivation when it involves the death of one of my favorite characters. Even though I know he doesn't stay dead…

I am now all caught up with what I wanted to get posted, so I genuinely have no idea what will be updated next. I'm working on one chapter, but I don't think I'm close to being finished with it yet. Hopefully I'll be able to make some good progress on it tomorrow. I have an unexpected day off from babysitting, although I still have to work at the theater in the afternoon. BUT it's gonna be a slow day since it's a week day. Lucky me. Hopefully I didn't just jinx myself by saying that…

Oh well! We'll see what tomorrow brings. For now, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Please Review, Follow, and Favorite! I'll see you all again for the next update!