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

Our mission to retrieve Flan was a bust apparently. I remained in Italy for a hit so I wouldn't know the details but apparently, Flan had lost all his memories of the future battle and was determined useless so Squalo left him with Rokudo Mukuro who was also there to recruit him at the time.

Also, might I add the hit I stayed in Italy for was also a bust. It's not that I failed to kill him or anything. The target is dead for sure but another family got to him first. When you become the enemy of the Vongola Family, you're pretty much the enemy of our whole Vongola Alliance so you're fucked. It just bums me out that someone got details before the Varia. The stupid Ninth was too slow on the orders.

Reporting to the boss wasn't awkward or anything. We're always okay with business related stuff no matter what… But it's what comes after that's awkward.

"And that's it. Should I follow up with the Ninth?" I grumbled, waiting for the boss to say something.

Before I came in here, Squalo gave his report on Flan so he could be in a bad mood as it is. I have to be cautious.

"Have a seat." He ordered, the chair from our talk a few days ago was still there but it didn't seem like anyone had sat in it seeing as how it was pressed right up against the desk, "What's this about fighting for freedom?"

"Huh?" It didn't hit me right away but I eventually put the pieces together, "Squalo told you about my deal with Dino."

His eyes narrowed. He didn't like the way I had said it as a fact. It wasn't a question. It was an accusing, sharp reprimand.

Sighing, I gave him the truth, "My mother wants me to marry Dino and Dino… claims to be in love with me. He's asking me to become his in the only way I would agree-through battle."

"I see." Xanxus reached for the glass of ice just like he had a few days ago. This time, the bottle on the side was unopened before he poured it, "Sit."

I did as he asked, taking a seat and pulling the glass cautiously towards me, "We're already two fights in. The score's 1-1. This last one is the tie breaker."

"And when were you planning on telling me?" He demanded, putting the bottle down without drinking it, "After you lost? Planning to drop a resignation letter on my desk and leave without a word?"

I took a sip of the tequila he had poured for me, thinking carefully about my choice in words but the anger won out, "You think I'm going to lose?"

"It's easy to lose on purpose, Kira."

Oh. The accusation was directed at my feelings not at my strength. My heart warmed at the clarification and the faith he was showing me but…

"You think my pride would allow that?" I held his gaze, unwavering this time even though I was certainly embarrassed, "I hate losing more than anything."

"It's the opposite. Wouldn't your pride hate it even more if you were with someone weaker than you? Isn't this challenge an excuse so you can be with him and not look back?"

"You…" I growled, "Since when do you have normal conversations with people?"

"Are you changing the subject because I'm right or because I hit a sore spot?" He didn't slip. He didn't let me change the subject. He didn't let me control the conversation.

I gritted my teeth, "You're so irritating."

"And manipulative. So what?" His self-confidence was something else. Everything with this man becomes a challenge. It's aggravating.

My phone began to ring in my pocket. I only held his glare for one moment longer before blindly answering the phone, "Hibari here."

"Hello, Kira." The voice calling out to me was one I hadn't heard in a long, long time.

I scowled only because the person on the other end couldn't see it, "... Father."

"When you told me of your new job, I never once thought you'd be with the mafia." He cut straight to the chase as he always did, "No child of mine has a place amongst criminals."

"... Mother ratted me out?" I grimaced. Without full knowledge of what had actually happened, I could not proceed.

"No. It was Fon."

Fon?! I have a lot of memories with Fon. Many of them are good and just as many are bad. In conclusion, my mother's brother and I haven't spoken in ages. How did Fon know…?! Right. He saw me in the future when we defeated Byakuran.

"So they call you the Cannibal, huh?" My father's tone was cold and dry as could be, "Hang up your gauntlets and return home at once. If you wish to be employed as a fighter, come work for the secret services. I'll get you a position of leadership in less than a week."

I winced.

My father works for the government as a SSA. A Secret Services Agent. He's definitely well suited for the job but… the only difference between SSA and the Varia is the legality of it. Mafia work is illegal but his murders and brawls are all paid for and supported by the government. That's my father's pride and joy-justice.

I made brief eye contact with the boss, hesitant, "Father, I like where I am."

"You'd be better off protecting Namimori's peace like your brother." He said, revealing just a little more of his ignorance on the matter, "Come home, Kira. I won't tell you again."

I'm only glad my father doesn't know about Kyoya yet. Hibari Kyoya is the Tenth Vongola Cloud Guardian and… we don't share our father's sense of justice. Our ideals are different but there's only one rule we all share and follow.

"If you don't come, I'll go to you, Kira." He declared, "And drag you home by force."

There it is. My father's declaration of tyranny. When angered, my father is a demon lord. He rules over this family and his employees with an iron fist. No one defies him. No one can hope to defy him.

Bitterness clenched my heart. Fon, how could you? My uncle ruins everything. People like Fon have always ruined my life. People who think I cannot make my own decisions and people who don't understand that not everyone has the same path in their heart.

"Your answer?" He chuckled, already knowing he had won, "But I suppose I don't have to ask for it. I'll see you soon, child."

The line went dead. Such a one-sided conversation… I hate it.

I eyed the boss warily, "I think I might have to go see Kyoya soon."

He knew something was up but when he opened his mouth to call me out, a sharp knock at the door had him closing his mouth in frustrated restraint.

The door creaked open and Mammon entered, mildly surprised to see me there, "A-Ah… Boss? I need to ask a favor."

"About the rainbow?" Xanxus had seen this coming too.

The boss is no ordinary man. He always knows more than he lets on. I wonder how he finds out. I'm pretty sure it's not just all from Squalo.

"Yeah." Mammon nodded, reaching up to gesture at me, "And Kira too."

"Me?" I'm hardly ever asked for favors cause I'm not nice about accepting them. I nodded, "Something you can't handle alone?"

He held his tongue for a moment to collect his thoughts and then blurted, "I need you to fight for me in the Arcobaleno Representative Battle."

Arcobaleno Representative Battle? Now that's something interesting. I couldn't help but grin along with the boss. Battle lust is the one thing we all share.

"We're doing it." Xanxus had no need for details or complicated reasoning. He was ready to lead us into battle just like he always had been.

Everything was forgotten as I relayed the orders to the rest of the officers. We were heading to Japan to participate in the biggest fight of the century.

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

Japan was about as welcoming as ever. Such a small country, such a familiar place, such a boring atmosphere. I smiled to myself. Soon we would ruin it. This place's boring sense of peace. The peace my father created. I want to stir it up a bit.

Turns out, the hotel we reserved was the same one Dino reserved for himself. We quickly discovered he was on Reborn's team for the fight to come. How exciting.

"Let's settle it through this, Kira." He grinned, running a hand through his perfect blonde hair, "I can't think of a more fitting way to handle this! Reborn's curse broken, us dating, and finally being able to show you how cool I am. It's perfect!"

"You mean Mammon will be the one to have the curse undone, I'll be free of your annoying babbling, and I get to bite the strongest fighters of our mafia world to death without punishment." I pushed him out of the way as we continued towards our room, "But I look forward to settling our score. I'll try not to kill you, Don Cavallone."

Laughing, the boss swept me under his arm and continued the walk as if he owned me.

Pushing him aside, I turned to glance through my coworkers, "I'm only sad that we're on the same team. I'd be honored to bite you all to death too."

My coworkers laughed and laughed. We were on the same team so there was no point but the feelings were reciprocated. Although, it was mostly a joke. This is our chance to fight together and win together. Our redemption.

The rules of the fight were explained to us later in the night. We'd all fight wearing watches. If the watch is broken, we're out. It sounded simple enough. The only catch is the watch would determine when and how long we fight for on each day. We can only fight when the watch tells us we can do so.

There was nothing much to do but wait. As fate would have it, declarations of war came and so did invitations. Alliances between teams were formed but of course, our boss was not the type to pair up with another team and we wouldn't have it any other way anyways.

As for declarations of war, when we refused Team Reborn's alliance, Dino was immediately declaring war on Xanxus.

"It's either you or me and I swear I'll make it impossible for her to pick you when she realizes how weak you are compared to me."

Or so he said. It was the first time I heard Dino say such a thing. It was so thrilling and terrifying at the same time. This was… definitely not the Dino I protected. Even though I've seen his strength for myself many times, I can't really accept it. I don't like it but of course, the prospect of fighting someone strong always has me excited.

Team Reborn was a given but I was utterly surprised when Team Fon came to declare their intentions too.

"Kyoya?!" I was utterly surprise to see not just my brother but my parents as well, "What's the meaning of this?!"

My brother's lips curved upward, eyes glimmering with ferocity meant for predators, "Well, if we're on the same team, I can't bite you to death."

Fon sat proudly atop my brother's head with the same casual smile he always wore, "Now, now, now. We came to offer Kira a spot with us as well. You are my precious niece after all."

"Piss off." I snarled, "You ratted me out, Fon."

"I didn't mean for it to do you any harm." He said, tilting his head back and forth adorably in a troubled manner, "But I can make it up to you. I'll fight you if you help me break my curse."

Mammon, flustered, called out, "Kira, I'll fight you too! I need you! Aren't I the more interesting opponent?"

Fon laughed in his naturally leisurely way, "I mean, we both choose close combat over illusions. Isn't that right, Kira? Viper doesn't stand a chance against us."

"Wh-Wha-?!" Offended, our illusionist stepped up in a threatening manner, "You're always talking down to me with your stupid superiority complex, Fon! I'll kill you right here if you don't-!"

"Mammon." I like the way everyone fell silent at the sound of my voice. My eyes settled on my mother and father who seemed to be holding their breaths as they waited for my answer, "Father, this is the Varia. When you said you would drag me home by force, I wanted to say this is my home. These are the people I come home to each night. Let's use this fight as a chance to decide my fate. If Team Mammon defeats you, I'll have my freedom."

"Interesting." My father's violet eyes sparkled in a terrifying manner, murderous aura leaking out harshly enough to make even Squalo tense up, "But so be it. I'll drag you home in chains when we win, Kira."

Turning on their heels, they left just the way they had come. Only Kyoya looked back at me with those pitying eyes, "You fool."

"We'll see." I muttered, watching them go.

I felt a hand on each of my shoulders. One was definitely Squalo's and the other… I turned and confirmed it belonged to the boss. We are the strongest. We have to be.

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

Day One of the Arcobaleno Representative Battle became a war zone immediately. Everything was spiraling out of control. With so many fighters and so many different teams, it was a shit fest. Only funny thing is… Xanxus didn't want to fight. He was tired, sleeping as usual, when the watch went off.

The beeping woke him so he screamed at it "Shut up!" and went right back to sleep saying "This sucks."

I laughed at him. I had lost rock-paper-scissors so I was stuck at the hotel with Mammon and boss as radio center for the rest of the officers. They had finally made contact with Kozato Enma and were going all out. At the end of the ten minute fight, Squalo reported Skull had temporarily broken his curse and Mammon could do the same.

Apparently, the secret code was already given to them but they didn't know what it would do until now. The new information was relayed to pretty much all the teams by now, I guessed. That means… Fon's definitely coming for me.

I made too many enemies right from the start. If Fon's fighting, there's no way we can beat Team Fon.

"Hey." Mammon said sharply, drawing my attention, "I'm strong too. Fon's not the only Arcobaleno you have personal relations with."

"... I know." I grumbled, "It's just…"

"Just what?" He huffed, "Tell it to me straight, Kira. You don't want to fight for me?"

"Wh-What? Of course I'd fight for you!" I snapped, "I chose this team because I truly believed we had the highest chance of winning!"

"What's with the past tense?!"

"Kyoya is unaffected by illusions and Fon is no different." I clenched my fists tightly, "The simulations in my head aren't going well. That's all. I have faith in you..."

"I have the utmost faith in you and the boss! You can't be-"

I felt it before Mammon had stopped talking and backed off. Xanxus was awake. I turned to find him towering over me. I sharply tried to step back but he was fast. His hands grasped me by the shoulders, pulling me towards him fiercely.

He said, "All you have to do is follow my orders like the piece of trash you are."

"I have faith in you more than anyone but my father is-"

"Not stronger than me!" He snarled and for a moment, I believed him.

Knowing the truth about my father, I should definitely not believe Xanxus' ignorant words but… I wanted to blindly put my faith in this man. I shook my head vigorously.

"Boss, listen to me!" I grasped his shoulders in return, shaking him harshly, "My father is a monster in terms of strength. If you meet him head on, I can't promise you'll come back alive! You have so much more to live for so if there's a choice, I'll take him on and you should-"

He surged forward, lips crashing against mine. My eyes went wide and I remained frozen. I heard Mammon yelp in surprise and flee but that's when Squalo's group came back. The timing was all wrong.

Letting out a quiet whine, I pushed him back, "I-I get it! I have-I trust you!"

Satisfied, he let me pull away. His eyes moved slowly to stare at our stunned audience, "Listen up, trash. Tomorrow, we hunt Team Fon."

"Heh. So he says, Kira." Squalo was bristling with excitement, "Leave Hibari Kyoya to me."

"Fon's mine." This is the first time we were able to see Mammon fired up about anything or anyone.

"If it's for the boss, I'll gladly sit back and play radio tower!" Levi volunteered graciously.

Lussuria was laughing his strange 'ohohoho' laugh as he nodded in agreement, "Levi and I will sit back and protect our spare watches then. The rest of you can hunt."

"Well?" The boss turned with the biggest smirk I've ever seen and I felt my heart flutter.

He had never looked so cool in our lives.

I couldn't stop the dumb grin spreading across my face, "Alright. I guess it's decided. Let's clean up Team Fon so I can settle my score with Dino."

Our officers threw up their fists and cheered. The last time we were this excited was ages ago… Right before the Cradle Affair. I just hope the result is different this time.

Hi! Bye! :)