DISCLAIMER: I don't own KHR or any of the associated characters aside from my OCs.

The private jet reserved specifically for the Varia was always fun to ride. The chairs were all nice and the entire plane was filled with things that we liked. In my case, that was steak and bacon.

Squalo and I sat across from each other, a table of snacks between us. It was awkward. So awkward. Memories of the future hung between us.

"An angel, huh?" Squalo said while clearing his throat, he kept his eyes low in an awkward way, "In ten years, he gets soft."

"No." I didn't think before I talked. These were all my real feelings, "He's shameless. The same man."

"You have thoughts of quitting." Now, Squalo was no longer beating around the bush, "Why?"

Lussuria had approached us, making us both fall into silence. He crossed his arms over his chest and took a seat beside Squalo, "I'm upset, Kira-chan. I think I deserve some answers too. I thought you said we're the strongest so you have no reason to leave us. What gives?"

"I don't want to leave." I told them, "Leaving wouldn't do me any good."

"Then what?!" Squalo slammed his fist on the table, "You don't want to fight anymore so you left? Pipsqueak Dino threatened you so you left? Was it actual feelings that motivated you to quit?!"

"If it was feelings, it must've been feelings for you guys." I couldn't hide the whole truth from Squalo. It just doesn't feel right to keep things from him, "My mother wants me to marry Dino, take everything precious to him, and kill him. It's for revenge."

"So do it! Why do you have to quit?!"

"Because the minute I kill Dino, we're traitors to the Vongola. Again." I snapped, "Because of me, you'd all be dead."

Silence fell over us as they processed my words. We were heading to Japan for the Inheritance Ceremony. The Tenth Generation was stepping up to the plate apparently. How bittersweet.

"It's not just you guys. I'm not blaming any of you." I sighed, ashamed at the very thought, "But I don't want to kill Dino either. When it all comes down to it, he's part of the reason I joined the Varia in the first place and…"

"Residual feelings?" Squalo finished for me because I could never admit it myself, "So be it. I always knew you had feelings for Pipsqueak Dino."

Now, Lussuria's engine was revving, "Had means past tense. Tell me it's the boss now, Kira."

"It's obviously not if she's willing to give up everything for Cavallone."

I watched in amusement as my coworkers fought it out loudly amongst themselves. I couldn't answer for myself.

"Guys." I finally cut them off, rolling my eyes, "I don't know who it is but when I find out, I'll tell you both right away."

"What's with that 'it doesn't matter' attitude?!" Lussuria snapped, puffing out his chest, "Love isn't like choosing your next meal, Kira-chan! It's something very precious!"

"You're going at it out of order, Lussuria!" Our strategy captain dropped another bomb on me, "Does the boss know?"

"About my mother?" I shrugged, "I don't think so? Did you hear something?"

"No but don't you think you should tell him instead of deciding all on your own." He huffed, crossing his arms grumpily over his chest, "Especially since it's not just a problem for you. If you quit, we'd be down an officer. I'm against you quitting."

"So dishonest." Lussuria giggled, "I'd miss you if you left so I'm against you quitting too."

"But I'm also against chaining you down if your choice is to go be with Cavallone. That's an insult to the rest of us who are here of our own will."

"So dishonest again! He means we're against keeping you from finding love."

"I said exactly what I meant!" Squalo shoved Lussuria off the seat in rage, "Go away, you damn okama!"

I shrugged again, "You think the boss would want to know?"

Their argument was paused again just long enough to blurt a collective, "Nah."

Of course not. Xanxus, that man, doesn't think about anything but his own business. If it's not on his list, he doesn't care.

Squalo was finally calm enough to continue our conversation, pushing Lussuria aside gruffly, "Our shitty boss has a lot on his mind after getting memories of the battle in the future. All we have is memories of an uncertain future but you were actually there. What did you think about the Tenth Generation Vongola Guardians?"

Now, the three of us became keenly aware of how the rest of the jet was silent. Bel, Mammon, and Leviathan were watching us warily. They were waiting for the verdict.

I hesitated but I didn't want to lie to them, "They're… sometimes little brats and at other times, they were reliable allies. Don't forget. My brother is among them."

"But you really think they're better suited for the job than us?" Lussuria cut in sharply.

"Didn't you see them in action through the memories passed down to you?" I turned to meet their eyes one by one, challenging them to say Sawada hadn't pulled a victory out of his ass against Byakuran, "Some of them fought extremely well."

"I don't trust them." Levi scoffed, finally speaking up, "Even if we saw them, you're saying you think they deserve the spot over our boss and I disapprove."

"I'm not saying anything herbivorous!" I snapped, "Our boss… The boss of the future readily came to Sawada's aid and had already accepted what was happening. As long as the Vongola is the strongest, he considered them allies."

"The current boss is the one you should be worried about!" Lussuria's stinging words of reprimand touched every heart present, "He's not going to like this at all."

"Then what? We only have two choices if you're right. We follow the boss to our deaths or we convince him of Sawada's worth."

Both of my choices were equally unfair and no one wanted to pick. It wasn't something we could decide on our own anyways. Even if we decided on one, if the boss has no will to follow our group's decision, we'll be following at his heels like dogs anyways.

We all let out a long, heavy sigh. There was no point arguing amongst ourselves. We can only go where the sky leads us and our sky… is currently at war with himself. We can only wait.

O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O

Namimori was the same place it had always been-small and cramped. Everywhere I went there was something familiar to me and every which way I turned, I was always reminded of home. I haven't spoken to my mother since our bout in the future but I suppose the Arcobalenos have also blessed my mother with the details of what happened in the future. I'm not sure I really want to talk to her nor do I want to approach her to talk about her thoughts on Dino.

Then again, why do I care? Since when have I been bothered by other people and their desires. How pointless.

Putting aside personal emotions for a brief moment, I checked into a hotel with the rest of my coworkers. We were waiting as close as we could to the location of the ceremony. The actual venue was reserved but still unpaid for. From here, we broke up for work or personal pleasure depending. A quick round of rock-paper-scissors decided, Squalo and Levi would head to China for a quick hit while the rest of us were free to play.

My automatic choice was to go see Kyoya. Namimori Middle School was his assumed location during midday hours. Honestly, I don't see what he likes about it. It has no special meaning to me but I guess Kyoya likes the land he dominates. It's a territorial thing for him.

I thought he would go nuts upon seeing me but when I went to find him on the rooftop, he was going at it with Dino. I'm not sure what I expected but I guess Dino beating down Kyoya is a daily occurrence for these guys. Romario and Kusakabe spotted me first, warily calling out to their bosses to stop the fight for long enough to greet me.

Dino was all smiles from the minute he laid eyes on me. He ran right over, shoving Kyoya aside to embrace me in his naturally overly friendly way. I shoved him aside and opened my arms to Kyoya, who ignored me with little more than a roll of his eyes. Rejection hurts but I guess that's Kyoya's normal response to physical affection.

As a consolation, Dino grinned and offered me another hug to which I snorted and shoved him aside, "So cruel, Kira."

"Unless you want to finish our best of three fight right this very minute, you shut your mouth." I snapped and using his better judgment he went dead silent and nodded, "Kyoya, have you heard about the Inheritance Ceremony?"

"I don't like it. Crowding." He scoffed, "I'm not going."

"I see." I assumed his position as the Cloud Guardian gave him some room to stay away from formal parties, "I'll be there."

His eyes shifted from the tonfa he was cleaning to me, his lips curving up, "If I attend will you fight me?"

"I'd rather not." If I'm fighting Kyoya at the Inheritance Ceremony, it'll probably be because our boss wants to take their positions from them and we'd have a much easier time if Kyoya wasn't there. Changing the topic at the sight of his frown, I muttered, "And mother?"

Kyoya's hand stopped, towel gripped tight around the tonfa now, "She's the same. Pretending nothing happened, no doubt."

"Does father know?"

"It's hard to say. Do you think our mother would be able to keep a secret from him?" His hand was in motion again, "You intend to avoid home forever? Maybe… elope?"

"Elope?" I didn't miss the way Dino sputtered off to the side in the middle of his long drink of water, "What kind of lies have you been fed?"

"Were you not married in the future?" He scoffed, eyes turning a deadly glare onto Dino, "Then again… Monkey King was bold in his advances too."

I blushed darkly at the memory of our boss boldly claiming I had the appearance of an angel in Cambio Forma. When I made eye contact with the pouting Dino, I blushed again. I dropped my eyes to the floor in shame, unable to say anything in response.

Kyoya only let out a long sigh, "I see."

I didn't like the tone there. Immediately sour, I demanded, "What?"

"I'm only disappointed that the one who defeated our mother is going to be an herbivore in the near future." He said, teasing and provocation in every word he spat, "One less predator means one less person to entertain me."

"Arrogant brat." I spat back at him. I was suddenly not in the mood to be with Kyoya anymore, "I'd show you my strength if you weren't already defeated by Dino."

Irked by the words I had thrown at him, he put up his fists and snapped, "I don't need my weapons to beat you down. Come at me."

The door opened once more and there stood Reborn, the greatest hitman in the world. Behind him were Sawada and his usual dumb and dumber duo. Gokudera and Yamamoto had opposite reactions to seeing me.

Yamamoto smiled about as bright as Dino and waved vigorously at me, "Hey! It's been a while!"

"Geh!" Gokudera spat, narrowing his eyes on me, "Cannibal!"

Judging by the bentos they were carrying, it's lunchtime. Kyoya was utterly disgusted by the crowd and he stormed off in rage. So much for come at me. I snorted when he was gone, sharply stepping away from Yamamoto who approached me holding a plastic wrapped curry bread.

He blinked at me with owlish eyes, holding the bread further out towards me, "I have a lot. Do you want one?"

"Ya-Yamamoto!" Sawada shrieked in fear from a good ten feet behind him.

My eyes narrowed on the offered bread opening my mouth to spit insults at him but he pulled it back and offered me the goods in his other hand, "Or do you prefer the one with a hotdog in the middle?"

Hotdog? My ears twitched and my eyes immediately lost their flare. I tried not to seem too happy but meat is not something I had expected him to offer. I reached for it before I knew what I was doing, my hand grasped the offered snack.

Grinning, he let go and took a step back, "Okay! That one's yours."

I gasped, immediately trying to hand it back to him, "I-I don't want it!"

"Don't be shy!" He laughed, putting his hands up out of my reach, "I'm not taking it back so just take it! You can have it as thanks for fighting with us in the future!"

In the future? I was doing that for me. I wanted to return home so I had no choice but to comply! If I take this from Yamamoto, I'll be the one in debt here!

"How's Squalo?" He was still smiling in such a carefree way, "Doing great?"

"...Yeah." I suppose I can tell him, "And you…"

What am I doing? I tossed his bread to Sawada and began to storm off. This is going to turn me into an herbivore before Dino does. What was that pointless small talk? Was I just about to ask if he was going to attend the ceremony?

"Kira!" Reborn called sharply, waiting for me to pause before continuing, "You're here with the Varia for the Inheritance Ceremony, right? If you're thinking something stupid, don't bother. The Ninth can't go soft on you guys this time around. You'll all receive the death sentence."

My blood ran cold.

That's right. These guys are the enemy. What was I doing getting friendly with them? These guys are the reason the boss lost his place as the next Don Vongola. If the boss gives the order, we could be slaughtering them. I'm already attached to Kyoya. If I get close to the rest of these guys, I'm as good as useless.

"We have no such plans." I spat and continued on my way without looking back. It wasn't a lie. We don't have any plans for rebellion currently but… who knows how long it'll be the truth.

Uncertainty is such a pain.

O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O

In time for the Inheritance Ceremony, Squalo and Levi returned with their mission complete. We were easily suited up for the ceremony. The helicopter would take us to the appropriate location. We were a little late considering Squalo was still in the middle of reporting the mission results to the boss but it couldn't be helped. It was a long mission for just two people.

Boarding the helicopter, Squalo had the boss on speakerphone. He was casually still getting dressed as he made his report. Bloody garments were discarded on the side of the copter.

"And we killed him." Squalo said, trying to cut short the report, "No witnesses. We're headed for the ceremony venue now. Anything else, boss?"

"Send Kira back to headquarters." The boss said, making everyone fall into dead silence. The only sound left was the whirring of the helicopter blades above us, "Now."

"Boss, we're already heading to the ceremony. We're literally on the helicopter. The Ninth is expecting us! We're already cutting it close by showing up without you! You can't-"

The boss wasn't having any of it, "Send her back now!"

"And the ceremony, you stupid boss?!"

"The rest of you go or don't go. It's not my concern." He said and hung up before we could say anything else.

In awe, we just stared at each other with our mouths agape.

I shook my head and sighed, "I'll stay on the helicopter once we get to the ceremony venue. You guys hop out and I'll head right back to Italy."

"Shitty boss!" Squalo roared, "If something happens, we'll be the first suspects now! What is he thinking?!"

"You just have to make sure nothing happens!" I loosened my tie. Now that I'm not making an appearance at the ceremony, I don't need it, "My brother is among the Tenth's Guardians. Just look out for him. I doubt he's going to be there but if he is, I'm leaving him to you guys."

"And the Bucking Horse?"

"What about him?" I snorted.

Squalo shot me a half-hearted glare, "No messages?"

I let out a long, annoyed sigh, "If he asks, tell him the truth. The boss called me back so I'm not coming."

Lowering the rope ladder at the venue, my coworkers left the helicopter one by one. I waved until they were long gone and then I turned, grabbing our pilot, "Hey. I'm heading to main base so move over. I can take it from here."

The lackey knew better than to argue with me. At first, they used to really hate it since I do handle my machines like a lunatic but they can't fight back. I give orders and I have the strength to punish those who defy me. They don't have a choice.

Returning to HQ was a long flight. Although, it was cut down by the abnormal speed I edged the helicopter to take. The poor assigned pilot was screaming in the back the whole way. Landing it was a little rough, but hey, I haven't flown in a while so it was to be expected.

Instead of a fancy ceremony in a castle reserved by the Ninth, I was wandering into our daily castle in quiet bliss. I don't like crowds or big public events so this was in my favor. Although, my concern was more for the reason I was called here alone.

While I was in flight, Squalo had called and left me a gajillion messages. I was opening them on the way into the building and up the stairs. Apparently, the ceremony was a bust. They had been attacked by a small group known as the Simon Family. The Ninth ordered Sawada's group to give chase rather than the professionals gathered for the ceremony.

The Varia was on call for now but they'd be returning to Italy after assuring the safety of the Ninth. He wanted an update on the reason the boss wanted to see me so urgently but I didn't have an update yet. I deleted the voice messages and texted him.

I just arrived.

His replied was almost immediately, We're waiting on news from Sawada. Your brother was spotted heading out to join the fight.

Then Sawada's basically won.

Arrogant scum. We'll see.

I shut my phone and went in to see the boss, knocking only twice and hardly waiting for a response. The boss was sitting behind his desk with his feet on the table. In one hand he had a bottle of whiskey and in the other he was holding his phone. He hardly looked up when I walked in, putting his phone aside to gesture at the chair across from him. That chair wasn't normally there. Someone brought it up. This was going to be a long talk.

I took the seat warily, "Reporting. The ceremony was wrecked by a small time mafia family we've never heard of before today-The Simon Family. The Ninth is reported safe. Only one of the current Guardians was defeated and Sawada's group is hunting the Simon Family. Squalo is leading the rest of the group to protect the Ninth while they wait for the verdict on the Simon Family."

I noticed the glass full of ice sitting on the table in front of me. Presumably, it was for the whiskey he was drinking from the bottle like a savage. I shook my head at his old habits. He always drank from the bottle but the glass was always there if he wanted it.

He removed his feet from the table, leaning forward in his chair. The bottle left his lips just long enough to pour a generous amount into the glass on the table. He leaned back once more, this time leaving his feet off the table.

I stared at the glass and then at him, "My report is done, boss. Anything else?"

"I don't expect a report from someone who wasn't at the ceremony." He scoffed, tilting his bottle towards the glass, "It's yours."

"Oh." I didn't know what to say. I'm not sure how I feel about drinking out of something that was poured from a bottle he drank out of beforehand. I reached for it tentatively, "Why?"

He was silent, drinking from the bottle without looking back at me. His chair was tilted to the side so his legs were stretched instead of under the table. His eyes stared out into the courtyard from the window.

"Make a choice, Kira. Is it us or them?"

Red: Kira is my ideal girl crush. That's why I wrote her this way. Cause I'm a chicken and my idol looks much like this. LOL I'm glad someone else loves her too.

NotRob: Well if I answered the question, the story would be spoiled sooooo let him have his fun.

And to everyone else, hope you're having a great day! :) If you're not, well I'm sorry. If you need someone to rant to, I'm here.