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

Just a warning. This one got a little dark.

Damages were assessed after the first bout with my parents and their Secret Service (SS) companions. We patched up and began preparation for both defensive and offensive maneuvers. The two units we captured were tight lipped and refused to speak so we didn't have a location on the SS so the offense was just a precaution. The defensive line up was more important.

When the boss ordered us to fight and kill them all the next time they showed up, I felt nothing but injustice at the whole situation but now that I had time to think about it a little more. I'm not sure what I feel. When I think about them killing my parents, it makes my stomach turn. But when I look at the damage my coworkers have taken, it makes me burn.

It makes me even more angry that my parents did this to them, claiming that it was for my sake. I didn't want this to happen to any of them! This is the wrong path. The only reason they didn't take my opinion into consideration is because they already think they're in the right. I have to fight them. This is a battle of resolve and will. I'm going to prove that my sense of justice is stronger. This is just another battle of strength. There's nothing more to it.

But every time I reach the conclusion that this is another battle of strengths, I remember that they're the parents who loved and cared for me for so many years. Even if this is a skewed method of showing love, their actions are driven by their love for me. I couldn't shake the memories of my childhood with them from my mind nor could I remove the feelings of guilt from my heart.

I took out my anger fueled by confusion on the sandbags hanging up in our basic training areas but when I ran out of intact sandbags to punch, I plopped to the floor and sat with my face in my hands for a long moment. I didn't know what the right choice was in this situation. I always did what I wanted to do but I'm confused because I want something that's not possible. I have to give up my parents or everything I built for myself in these long years with the Varia.

I heard footsteps approaching me. I couldn't look up but I didn't have to. The familiar feeling of the sky was approaching me. Surprisingly, he took a seat right next to me, heavily setting a hand on my head.

I didn't expect him to be so gentle. I finally lifted my head, dropping my hands into my lap to observe him, "What?"

"You sit out." He said, not meeting my eyes. He kept his face turned forward, staring at the remnants of sand falling out of the punching bags decimated by my anger, "We're more than enough without you. Sawada Tsunayoshi said they're going to fight without their Cloud Guardian if the time comes. They're sending Hibari Kyoya back to Namimori."

My brother's running away? No way. I couldn't believe it.

"Kyoya's… back in Japan already?" I was nervous to hear the answer. I felt small when he finally turned and met my anxious gaze with a firm glare, "He left?"

"No. They're waiting on you. If you want to go back, they're saying you can go with him." He told me, "Main Base is providing the transportation. They'll call you back when it's over."

I nodded, absently reaching for the bandages wrapped around his wrist. I liked the feeling of his hand on my head but I removed it anyways, glaring down at the wrappings around old wounds, "Does it still hurt?"

"No." He said shortly, turning to sit facing me. He waited for me to do the same before pulling me forward into a crushing embrace, "Orders."

"Orders?" I murmured, wrapping my arms around his middle in a comfortable manner. When was the last time I got to hold him? I felt my heart pounding in my chest absurdly fast, "What orders?"

"My orders to you." He turned, pressing his lips against the top of my head in such a gentle way, "Go to Japan. I have a score to settle with the fucker who marked me."

I laughed in disbelief, pulling back to glare at him, "You're sending me away?"

"For now." He worded it carefully, leaning so close I could smell the familiar scent of alcohol and tobacco on his breath, "It's been a while."

I didn't even have to ask to know what he was saying. I nodded, "It's been a while in general or a while since you've done it with me?"

"Both." He huffed, drawing away. The mood he was trying to create was broken, "You?"

"Can't remember." I lied. I remember vividly. I mean, how can I not when the only person I've ever done it with is sitting right in front of me?

He hummed, disinterested only in physical appearance as he asked, "That long? Was he any good?"

Does he know he's asking about himself? Is he doing this on purpose or does he actually think I had the will to sleep with someone else?

"I wouldn't know." I answered, not making eye contact when turned, "Who was that last girl you were with? She looked too young for you."

"Fresh out of high school." He admitted, "You got someone to compare him to so get to it."

I made a face. He's trying to control this conversation. He's digging for something and it's so obvious but to hell with him if I give in. I don't need him to know I haven't been able to get over him. I've already got other shit on my plate.

"I thought he was great. He has to be since he's got all that experience." I snorted, rolling my eyes.

"Thought you couldn't stand being one out of a dozen?" He was getting mad. His flames were boiling beneath the surface, I could tell, but he was trying to control it for some reason, "He's that good?"

"You're such an idiot." I hate this dumb game we're playing but I hate losing even more. I can't tell him, "Of course he's good. I would have killed him if he wasn't."

"You can kill him?" He was obviously asking if I was capable of doing it with an herbivore.

"... No, I guess not." I admitted, only slightly ashamed. I'm proud of his strength so I can't really complain, "Maybe someday I will but as of now, I recognize his strength."

"Take him to Japan with you then." He stood sharply, immediately turning away, "Consider it a short vacation. Expenses paid."

"How kind." I said dryly, standing up at a much more leisurely pace. I couldn't help but think his usually broad, powerful backside looked a little bit lonely. I could've misunderstood so I was cautious when I came up behind him and put a wary hand on his back, "But I don't need anyone but Kyoya if I'm going on vacation."

"You have that kind of fetish?"

I couldn't tell if he was asking me seriously or not but I suppose people have told me my obsession with Kyoya isn't normal sometimes, "Maybe I do."

"Whatever. You're all trash anyways."

And that was that. I received orders to leave the country until this matter was settled. I can't imagine that someone as cold as the boss was shielding me from the cruelty of having to face off against my parents in a potential death match but then the only other logical option I could reach here is that he didn't trust me.

That was one thing I wanted to deny at all costs but my boss is smart. It's the logical conclusion to reach so if he wants to guarantee that I won't be here to aid the enemy, all he has to do is send me away. And if I stay, obviously, I'm a traitor and he'll have me killed just like Ottavio.

I'm not lost anymore. This has only opened my eyes. I don't need to think. My strength is absolute, not just the fortitude of my body but the strength of my mind. The one thing I will not become is an herbivore. I know what I have to do now.

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

The SS is definitely a small force compared to the Cavallone Family and our Vongola Family but they make up for it with skills. Each one of them has enough skill to take down a small mafia family on their own. I mean, it should've been obvious considering how badly they injured the Vongola Guardians and our officers but they have an extremely high success rate in mafia elimination hunts.

I discovered Squalo had gone to a meeting at Main Base without me. Actually, he didn't even tell me there was a meeting. They didn't trust me after we revealed it was my parents who had started this business. I don't blame them. I wouldn't trust me either but I was mildly offended. Squalo didn't even have the generosity to tell me what was going on. It meant he didn't trust me either.

I'm sure the boss also knows exactly what's going on so… it's fucked up that he didn't say a word about it either. I'm doubly offended. Mildly offended plus mildly offended equals straight up pissed when it comes to me so I've been ignoring the boss since this morning too. Maybe it doesn't actually count as ignoring him since he assumes I'm just packing to go back to Namimori but whatever.

So, as Vongola Nono and Don Cavallone took it upon themselves to have a meeting with our upper echelon about the next order of business, I showed some fucked up initiative and reached out to Fon.

He answered my call with a soft, "Yes, child?"

"... They said it was for me, right? They left you a message, right?" I didn't wait for him to answer, my throat already felt dry, "It was instructions on how to join them if I changed my mind, wasn't it? Tell me how I can join them."

"... You've made your choice?" He murmured in a quiet, sad tone, "So be it. Tonight, meet them at the address I'm about to send you."

"Got it." I said, "And Fon?"

"Yes, child?"

"... Goodbye."

He didn't ask what that meant. I think he took it to mean I'm walking into my execution. He took it to mean I thought joining my father's side wouldn't help their cause because the Vongola was stronger.

His tone solemn, he replied, "I pray you're wrong."

"You won't fight?" I think I already know his answer but I have to be absolutely certain.

"No, child. I don't fight for revenge. That's unhealthy and I only wish she would stop this needless bloodshed but… I cannot control them nor can I control you if you have made your decision. I can only pray that we meet again."

I doubt he'll want to see me after this is all over but…

"Me too." I hung up and shortly after he sent me the location to the SS hideout in Italy. I dialed my brother's cell and he picked up with silence. I could only imagine the things running through his head, "Kyoya?"

"... You're coming?" He was at Vongola Main Base, waiting for me to show up so they could get the limo going to the airport where we would return to Japan for the time being.

"I'm sorry, Kyoya." Hearing his voice made this so much more difficult, I couldn't picture a world where Kyoya would never talk to me again, "I won't be going with you."

After a moment of silence, his voice quietly croaked back, "... Where are you going?"

"To work." I choked out, throat tightening and lips dry, "I'm walking the path I chose."

"'You are only an herbivore if you walk away from your convictions.' was it?" He quoted my father. This was something we both heard many times growing up and this was our family's creed, "I'm coming with you."

"They're going to have eyes on you. How will you tell them you're not going to the airport as planned?"

"Kusakabe." He answered shortly, "Tetsu's taking me so it's not a problem. The herbivores won't even know I'm heading in the wrong direction. How are you going to locate them?"

"I asked Fon."

"Fair enough. Where should I meet you?"

"There's this diner I frequent. It's run by this old Japanese woman. I… In my time here during middle school, I found the place and she was always welcoming. I still go there from time to time." I explained, "I'll tell you the address by text so go there and wait for me. I need to confirm with my coworkers that I'm returning to Namimori with you but I will join you shortly."

"I'm leaving now. I'll tell the herbivores you're driving separately."

Shortly after I ended the call, I threw together my suitcase to leave Italy. Of course, the suitcase was full of weapons rather than vacation material. I checked in with the boss who was sitting with Squalo in his office. I gazed with wide eyes at the empty chair sitting across from him at the desk. That was where I sat when we used to share drinks. As expected, this only made it clearer that my choice was the right one.

"I'm off." I murmured, meeting their eyes one at a time. I offered Squalo a crooked smile, "Hey, what's with the face? You were talking about a plan to kill my parents, yeah?"

My best friend only gave me a skeptical frown. He was feeling guilty for sure.

"It's alright." I told him, "You do what you have to do. I forgive you."

"Get going." Boss ordered, tone surprisingly gentle, "Don't forget your phone. I'll call when this is over. Fly your ass back immediately when I call."

Hah. Fly back? I won't even have to fly. I can actually just get on a taxi and come back but I'm sure he won't have to call me. I'll come back when I'm ready to face them. Before I was the Varia's Cannibal and before I was a mafioso, I was Hibari Kira. I am always going to be Hibari Kira but those other things don't really matter.

"Yeah. See you later, boss." I turned, heading for the door when I heard his chair skid back. My hand had just barely landed on the doorknob when he reached around me, one hand slammed into the door to keep it shut and the other came around my shoulders to hold me to his chest. I tried to steady the nerves but I couldn't help the unsteady pounding of my heart, "... What's this?"

"Either fly back when I call or I'll come hunt you down." He growled, pressing his lips to the top of my head as he often did, "Remember. You're mine."

I gave the door a hard yank and he let me open it, releasing me from his hold. I turned as I stepped out, ready to close the door behind me. I caught Squalo's uncomfortable expression as I forced myself to grin back at the boss, "How many times have I told you not to be mistaken? You're mine, you idiot. When I come back, I'll make it happen so…"

"Try it." He challenged but it was more like a parting greeting.

It sounded more like "I'll be waiting so come make it happen" but I reminded myself that this was a one-sided affair so I wouldn't get lost in the old feelings. I couldn't afford that kind of thing right now.

Waving over my shoulder, I left HQ. I couldn't bring myself to say anything to Lussuria or Bel or Mammon and …. Fuck Leviathan. I'm not close enough to that guy to say goodbye or anything anyways. I got in the car as planned and let the driver start out. Midway, I said I had to use the restroom so I got out of the car at the corner of the street where the agreed diner was located. A cafe was welcoming its last customers of the day and I told him I'd use the restroom and buy a drink.

Looking uneasy the driver agreed, I took my sweet old time in the cafe and waited for him to come in after me. When he came in searching for me, I yanked the bathroom door open and pulled him in. He was out cold ASAP. In case I failed, I left a note to the location I would be meeting my parents and a short note for this man to find when he regained consciousness. I'm sure he'd report it to the boss and they'll take care of it from there but this my last order of business as an officer of the Varia.

I took the keys from the unconscious driver and walked the rest of the way to the diner where Kyoya was waiting outside. He was dressed oddly, not in his school uniform and not in a mafia suit. I glanced down at my casual clothes and smiled. We had similar tastes but this was a poor disguise. I tilted my head down the street and he followed as we headed back to the car that brought me here.

"And Kusakabe?" I asked.

"Went to the airport as planned. He's checking us in for the flight so they don't think something's strange." He told me, startling me with his maturity. He had really thought this through, "So let me ask you, Kira, you said you're going to work, right?"

"Yeah." I felt my stomach churn. Did my poor brother not understand what I meant? Of course I can't blame him if he didn't know, I wasn't very clear when I told him, "I meant what I said. I'm on an unofficial job for the Vongola."

"I just wanted to be certain." He told me, "I'm still going with you."

"Going with me to stop me or help me?" I said, stopping in front of the car to ask, "You're my precious brother so tell me now. Are you friend or foe?"

"You were always like that…" He said softly, "What are you going to do if I say I'm your enemy? Kill me too?"

I didn't want to think about it but my answer was a terrifying 'yes.' I couldn't tell him.

"You will become the only thing I have left after we're done tonight." He stepped around me, heading towards the passenger side door, "You seem to forget sometimes but if you ask a favor from me, I would do anything."

I laughed quietly in disbelief, unlocking the doors to the car and taking my place behind the wheel, "I love you too."

He hummed at me, glancing back at the suitcase in the backseat, "You were thorough with your acting, I see."

"Not as thorough as you would think." I started the engine before turning around to grab the suitcase and drop it in my brother's lap, "Open it."

His eyes widened at the contents, staring in silence for a good long moment. He was piecing together my strategy.

"I'm an assassin after all." I told him, reaching in to take one of two pistols from the suitcase to hide it away in my clothes, "Do you trust me?"

He didn't reply verbally, hiding the second one in his clothes as I did. He let the suitcase fall to the floor, empty. His expression was unreadable, even more so than usual.

"Welcome to the mafia, dear brother."

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

"Their allies are all over the place." My father's voice was hushed as he spoke in the dark of their faulty safe house, "We've taken considerable damage but with our children, we can replenish the soldiers we lost and then some."

They paused their conversation there, looking up at the same time as Kyoya and I came up the stairs.

"You finally see it our way." Mother began, standing up to greet us, "But I'm not dumb. Did you really have a change of heart when you were so against it when I asked you to wed Dino as a spy for us?"

"You were right, mother. There was someone in my heart." I admitted, taking her by surprise, "How could I abandon the person I had feelings for to become Dino's bride?"

"..." She believed me. Of course she would, she always thought she was right and this had been her assumption from the start.

I felt strangely calm, smiling at my mother, "I'm sorry. I was childish."

Her tension began to fade, expression softening as she turned to share an apologetic look with my father, "... Did he hurt you?"

The first ping of pain in my chest flashed across my face and she misread the signals. I was suffering from the thought of carrying out my plan not from something done to me by someone else.

"He slept with someone else." I admitted, not a single lie being told tonight. I smiled a genuine smile when my father's expression grew dark, "And when he gets angry, he throws things at me."

Father came forward, wrapping me up in arms much too strong to belong to someone at his age, "It's going to be okay, Kira."

Yes. Everything is going to be okay.

I drew the gun from my coat, jamming it into his ribs, "... No. No, it's not."

"Don't move." Kyoya ordered sharply, training his gun on my mother as she tried to come to his aid, "It's over."

My father took a step back, hands raised innocently, "How ungrateful."

"Get on your knees." I ordered, my hands were sweaty and my heart was pounding much too fast, "Get on your knees!"

"So be it." As father dropped down to both knees, I saw the look on his face. This is not what he had expected at all. He had trusted me.

It broke my heart. Tears sprang to my eyes and my hand began to shake as I stepped forward and pressed the muzzle to his forehead, "I'm sorry…"

"Don't be sorry." He said, not an ounce of anger in his tone, "If anything, I am proud of you, my princess."

I can't remember the last time he called me such an herbivorous pet name. It was probably… long, long ago when I was a child. The click of the safety came undone, my finger ghosting over the trigger.

"... Are those your last words?" I murmured, half trying to prolong this disgusting deed and half asking him genuinely, "Don't you have some hatred in your heart? I am betraying you, Father."

Please hate me.

"Like I said, I'm proud. You've become a woman who stands by her convictions." He said, tone unchanging from his normal confident, smooth timbre, "You are most certainly my child. You and Kyoya both."

I turned, my purple eyes staring at Mother who looked as if she was about to cry. I forced a sickening smile, tears starting to fall. My eyes settled on Kyoya who was gritting his teeth, eyes half turned away.

We were supposed to be strong. How did this happen?

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." I repeated over and over and finally, I whispered, "I love you. Goodbye."

I heard my mother's scream echoing in my ears as I pulled the trigger. I couldn't even look at the corpse. I knew exactly what I had just done and I hated myself for it. The blood splattered on my skin was his… My precious father was… gone forever.

I turned, sobbing like a child when my mother's gaze came at me full of hatred because as much as we were her children, that was her husband. I dropped the gun as she came forward and she easily took it up.

Yeah. This was the right way to go. I took her most precious person from her so I'll pay with my life. I closed my eyes and waited but I had forgotten. The gun spat nothing but air as she pulled the trigger.

I let out a shaking breath as our eyes met once more and I let the bitter laugh escape my lips. Knowing my limits, I had only loaded one bullet into the gun. I was afraid that I would take their lives and my own shortly afterwards. I had taken precautions.

I didn't deserve the easy way out. I didn't deserve to die here with my father. That was too good a death for me.

My mother dropped the empty gun and turned on Kyoya, putting her hand out, "Give it to me!"

The Cloud Guardian-no, my little brother took a stumbling step back. Mother was too big a hurdle. Screaming in pure fury, she swung at his throat-a killing blow if it landed. Kyoya was frozen for the first time in a long time.

My gauntlets were over my hands in a split second, the Cloud Flame-coated metal slammed into the base of her neck. The force snapped her spine and she crumpled to the floor.

Kyoya dropped the gun, clutching at her lifeless body with wide, crazy eyes. His breath came in short gasps as he clawed at her shoulders, tears were now filling his eyes as well. Kyoya's gun was still loaded and sitting just a few inches away from him.

My mother had died instantly to these gauntlets. I took them off, dropping them onto the floor in a clattering mess. I had no right to cry but the tears wouldn't stop.

"Kyoya." I said, my voice shaking and I pointed at the gun, "I'm asking you for a favor. Kill me."

He reached for the gun and curled his hand around the trigger immediately, setting it off straight into the floor. The gun was now empty and he flung it to the corner of the room screaming bloody murder.

I should have come alone.

I shook my head, the tears just wouldn't stop. I wanted to be strong, I wanted to tell him it would get better but I couldn't stop. I made a pitiful attempt at playing it off, managing only a grimace rather than a smile.

He shook his head.

I stared down at my hands, the hands that had just killed both my parents without hesitation.

They loved me and I killed them both. I'm a monster.

The door opened and I turned helpless as the Varia stormed in with their weapons raised. They were shortly followed by the Cavallone, Sawada's group, and Timoteo's Guardians.

Slowly, realization brought their weapons down. Some of our allies realized exactly what I had done and dropped their weapons to the floor in shock, covering their gaping mouths with their hands as they stared at me like I was some sort of monster.

I saw the grimace on Dino's face as he beheld the bodies. I opened my mouth but nothing came out. My chest heaved and my breath caught as I stared back at the people I had chosen over my parents. I thought I had made the right choice before I had done it but now, I was no longer certain. I clamped my mouth shut, my body shaking as I tried to contain the sobs choking me from the inside.

Don Cavallone was warm as he approached us, one arm around me and the other hand on Kyoya's head. He croaked, "I'm sorry-so sorry."

I looked up at my brother's face that had finally broken. Tears were streaming down his cheeks but he remained frozen in place, staring at the floor tiles soaked in blood as if his soul had left his body. Seeing my brother cry, I felt the need to reach for him but when my hand rose up into view it looked so bloody. I gasped, yanking it back before it could taint him but when I blinked the blood was gone.

That's right. I had shot my father and my gauntlets were on when I killed my mother. There is no blood on these hands but…

I'm dirty.

I slapped Dino's arm away violently, scrambling away from his caring second attempt at holding me. I shook my head. My ears were starting to ring as I gasped for breath, clutching my hands close to my chest. It probably looked like I was protecting them but in truth, I didn't want these hands to touch anyone in this room-my precious allies. With these hands, I ended the lives of two people I loved. It had been so easy for me.

This strength was not something to be proud of nor was it something to boast about. This isn't what I wanted. I was just trying to protect them. I love them but I loved my parents too and I had killed them. The thin line between protecting and straight murder is blurring together and I can no longer remember the real reason I came here today.

As I tried to form logical thoughts, nothing but confusion swirled in my mind. I couldn't hear the concerned voices of the people around me. I didn't react to anything until the boss approached me. He offered me his hand and when I looked up and made eye contact with his beautiful crimson eyes, the voice roaring in my head said only one thing.

No, not him too, you monster. Don't hurt him.

"Aquilos, Cambio Forma!" My ring roared to life, startling everyone. The wings spread out behind me momentarily before closing around my body as I turned and smashed through the window.

"Kira!" Dino had called out, rushing forward at the same time as the boss as if to catch me but my wings spread out.

I didn't know where I was going but I was okay with just flying. As long as I'm not here, I can't kill them. It'll be okay as long as I get away from here. I have to go far, far away. I never looked back.