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

There have been plenty of rumors floating around about Vongola the Ninth abdicating his position for a more capable and youthful boss to step into place. With Nono's age and deteriorating health, those rumors were constantly hovering about but the time has come for the rumors to be addressed. Tonight, Vongola the Ninth would announce the official Inheritance Ceremony for the Tenth Generation members.

The failed ceremony of the previous year was behind us as they rushed about to make preparations. Much like a wedding, these ceremonies took time to prepare and unlike last time, we weren't doing this with an ulterior motive like drawing out the Simon Famiglia. This time it was, in all seriousness, the preparation of a proper and grand ceremony to pass the torch to the new generation.

Most hands were busy working on reserving a grand hall or ordering decorations and other party necessities, but the Varia was never included in the ordinary bunch of souls that worked with the Vongola Famiglia.

Unhappily and with our share of doubts, the boss, Squalo-senpai and I stood in the heavy silence of Vongola Nono's office. Having been called in with little to no prior information, we were all on guard.

"Why are we here, old man?" Xanxus snapped, his calm exterior sizzling away in the flames of his anger.

"I called you in to ask for your honest opinions. The three of you have worked for this family and your experience is invaluable to the next generation that will lead this family. Your skills are absolutely necessary for this family to prosper." Timoteo spoke firmly and with much wisdom, "So I wanted to ask you to show them how this family is run. By the end of the year, the ceremony will be fully prepared and a grand event will take place along with the renewal of our alliances under the name of Vongola Decimo. I want you to be present at the negotiation table to make sure this family doesn't fall to ruin. This is my last request as the head of this family."

A slow look passed through our group. Suspiciously, Timoteo's Guardians were all armed and present in the room. They clearly had some ulterior motives and we weren't stupid enough to fall into such an obvious trap.

"I would like to ask you all as comrades in the same family, what do you think of the new generation? Are they well suited to their positions?" The Ninth asked, his eyes shifting back and forth between me and the boss, "Well, Xanxus? You led the Varia this far on your strength and you've been a great help to me as well. I'm asking for your honest opinion. What do you think?"

Jerking a thumb in my direction, the boss said, "Her brother is among them. They're going to be fine."

Timoteo leaned back calmly, "I see. So have you all come to grips with the fact that they're going to lead this family?"

"The Vongola Family should be the strongest." The boss growled, "I won't settle for anything less. All I need is one opening. One moment of weakness and I'll topple them."

The Guardians all drew their weapons and I knew this is what they were getting at all along. They were testing our loyalty this whole time.

Timoteo held up his hand, "I had my doubts about you but it seems to me that you all have the Vongola's best interests at hand."

"VOI!" Squalo's baring his teeth, his sword swinging out wildly.

"If you had come in here preaching about how the Varia is more suited to the job, we would've killed you right on the spot but it seems that you've settled into your place." The Ninth smiled kindly, "We didn't mean to insult you in any way but we would like you to continue serving this family during the reign of the Tenth as well. Your loyalty had to be tested."

"Old man. I said I would topple this family if I saw weakness. What part of that was loyalty?" Xanxus growled.

"I have long since realized that the officers of the Varia are rather dishonest with their inner feelings."

"VOI! Don't loop us all together like that!" Squalo roared, "We're not all like that!"

"Shut up." I elbowed him in the gut.

"There is just one more matter I must confirm before we end this." The Ninth looked straight at me and asked, "Have you been getting along with them? Young Ryohei speaks highly of you but I've known you for a long time and I find it hard to believe that you're actually taking care of them by choice as well as he claims. Are you being threatened by them? They are mostly males after all. I initially wanted Squalo to be their live-in tutor but Reborn insisted on picking you although you're a young lady."

I didn't know which part to be angry about. I was mad that he was accusing them of threatening me into taking care of them and even angrier that he assumed I would be taken advantage of that way. In the end, I remembered my small exchange with Chrome.

"You do look like you could be forced so… don't say it like that."

I gritted my teeth and shook my head, "They're just children. What could they possibly do to me?"

Timoteo smiled in a fatherly manner, "Any number of things but I'm glad you have faith in them not to hurt you even after all that's been said and done."

"They're good kids. Each and every one of them." I snarled, "If you have those doubts about them, live with them and see for yourself."

"I see." The Ninth's eyes shifted to Xanxus and then back to me, "That's a relief and what of the Varia? I still don't see how you can stand to be among them. They're a dirty, cruel bunch."

"I'm included in the bunch." I said firmly, "You'd be surprised."

"Let's go." The boss growled, dragging me out by the back of my shirt, "We're done here."

We didn't look back. Squalo on the boss' right and me on his left, swept under his arm like usual. For once, my heart wasn't pounding from the boss' gesture but from anger at the implications of the Ninth but I didn't let it get me down.

There are only seven short months left until they take their rightful places. I'm the most excited for it.

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

"Feh." The boss scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. He was displeased with the way Yamamoto had spotted us in the bleachers and began to wave like a lunatic, "Brat."

I laughed quietly, waving back my encouragement, "He said he'd hit a homerun for me so shoot him if he doesn't connect."

Xanxus elbowed me so hard I actually doubled over, "You told me to leave the weapons at home!"

"It was a joke!" I huffed, watching Yamamoto take his place. I was slightly awestruck by the way he lifted the bat. It was such a simple motion but he looked so attractive.

In the row behind us, Sawada's group cheered encouragement to their Rain Guardian. Apparently, we had all been invited to the game so I cancelled their study session and we had just all come as a giant group.

We watched Yamamoto miss the first pitch. Sawada's group was quick to call encouragement. Unfortunately, it didn't do the baseball nut any good. He proceeded to miss the second pitch as well.

"Feh. He's not even good." Boss was quick to criticize, "Waste of our time, Kira. Let's leave."

Grumpy, I slammed my heel down over his toes and let him writhe in pain for a moment before I took a sharp breath and stood up, leaning over the railing as far as I could go. I didn't think it would do him any good but I yelled at him anyways, "Yamamoto Takeshi! I won't forgive anything less than Varia Quality!"

The crowd would never understand what I meant by Varia Quality but Yamamoto heard my words loud and clear. Our eyes met and his lips curved into the most adorable-I mean, the most confident smirk I had ever seen on a man. The flash of blue behind his dark orbs was the lighting of his dying will flame.

Needless to say, he swung at the next ball with the strength of a wild animal. He flung his bat to the side and took off running, watching the ball sail until it had gone over the railings into the crowd. It was a homerun.

I felt the swell of pride in my chest and then berated myself. It was not my accomplishment. I shouldn't be feeling proud of some brat but when Yamamoto turned midway through his now-casual jog around the bases and waved at me with a great big smile on his face, I felt the pride swell once more.

"Holy shit!" Sasagawa was screaming behind me, leaning forward to casually put an arm around my shoulders, "He EXTREMELY did it!"

I turned grinning like an idiot with the rest of Sawada's group. They seemed even more proud of Yamamoto than I did. The floaty feeling of joy was put on pause as murderous intent rolled through.

I narrowed my eyes on the boss who was sitting rigid in his seat with his fists curled so tightly his knuckles had turned white. I was now familiar with the expression he was making-jealousy. I could only laugh, leaning into his shoulder lightly.

"Baseball is that child's life. Let him live." I said, letting the tension around us dissolve with Xanxus' anger, "Don't you think I did a good job with him? He's so scared of me he'll hit a homerun when I order it."

"You know damn well that's not the reason." Boss snarled in my ear, biting down on it hard enough to draw blood. He snickered when he pulled away, "You deserved it."

"Asshole." I hissed, holding my bleeding ear. I'm never coming to this kind of event with Xanxus ever again. I swear, it'll be the end of me.

"We're leaving." He declared, standing up sharply and pulling me with him. He had reached his limit.

I laughed quietly, waving to Sawada's group as I left with the boss, "Tell Yamamoto he was brilliant. You're all free to sleep in this weekend but I expect you herbivores to be awake bright and early on Monday for school."

Their cheers and words of gratitude were ignored as I stumbled after the boss who was growing increasingly impatient with the situation. I am honestly surprised he even came with me. I thought he was going to say no and don't get me wrong, he did reject me initially but then he got in the car with me anyway.

I suppose it was a gesture that was either supposed to be sweet or controlling. Knowing the boss, it's a controlling gesture and he revealed it to be as such when he spun and slammed my back into the wall by the exit to the stadium the minute we were out of view.

If he was trying to scare me, he failed miserably. I saw it coming from a mile away and I smiled, chipping away at his fragile pride.

"If you cheat on me, you die." He growled.

I simply replied with, "I know."

His expression said it all. He was dissatisfied by my answer.

"I should be saying that to you, boss!" I huffed, pushing him out of my way to make my exit. I felt the fury building behind me. I turned, holding out my hand, "Remember, you're the one who slept with Coyote's daughter. What's her name again? Hm?"

Boss snagged my hand up and dragged me out to the corner where the car was already waiting for us, "I don't know her name."

Stunned, I didn't get in the car behind him for a moment. Is he kidding? How can you sleep with someone when you don't even know their name? What?

He peered out of the car at me, irritated by my slow reaction, "Get in, scum."

I got in slowly and the minute the driver began to pull out into the road, I screamed, "How the fuck can you sleep with someone if you don't know their name?! Don't lie to me, Xanxus!"

He burst out laughing, reassured by my words that I would somehow never be able to cheat on him, "It's convenient. Easier. You don't have to go to stupid baseball games to fuck them at the end of the day."

I was so disgusted, "She's Coyote's daughter! There is no way you don't know her name!"

"What's with that logic? Do you know her name then?" He huffed, mildly annoyed by how little I understood the rules of flings and no-string-attached relationships.

I don't. Now that I'm thinking back, I don't think I ever knew her name. I never got a formal introduction since I wasn't originally a mafioso. So he's definitely right about the logic being a little flawed there but I still think it's weird to sleep with someone and not know their name.

"Then do you remember the names of the people you've liked for real?"

"Yeah." He smirked, when I looked up at him in shock, "Hibari Kira."

I melted. I lost this fight/argument. Whatever you want to call it. I lost. Needless to say, we just barely made it back to HQ before we started tearing clothes from each other. I forgot what even started the spat in the first place and I let the boss embrace me as he always does.

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

I adjusted my brother's tie, keeping my eyes from his face in case I decided to get herbivorously emotional. Today, Hibari Kyoya would become the official Vongola Cloud Guardian. My brother is joining the Vongola Family! I wonder if we'll ever get to go on missions together! We can kill people together and eat hamburger steak afterwards and then we'll ride in the same car and…

Wait. This is Kyoya we're talking about… Nevermind. If I'm lucky, he'll eat dinner with me every once in a while and if we ever go on mission together he'll probably just tell me to stay out of his way. All my hopes and dreams were efficiently shattered.

"You look well compared to the last time we met." He said, eyes never leaving mine as I fixed his tie.

I laughed quietly, remembering how we had met back when I was hiding away. Those days were long gone. I've embraced the monster inside. That monster is me. It always has been and it will always be me.

"I've accepted my actions and the consequences that have come with it." I will never be able to properly mourn for my parents. I don't have the right. My hands chose to grasp the path I had created for myself over sparing them. It's too late for me to go back.

"So be it." He grumbled, turning to grab his tonfas before the start of the ceremony, "But Kira…"

"Hm?" I watched him as he opened the door, not turning to face me, "What is it? Tie too tight?"

"You are my precious sister. I only have one of you." He declared, "So no matter how cruel this sounds, I know you haven't faced the consequences yet."

I blinked at him as he moved to close the door, "What does that mean?"

He didn't look back. As he closed the door, he murmured, "Fon."

Oh yeah. Fon. I killed his sister and we haven't spoken since then but how can I take responsibility for such a thing. The only thing I have with equal worth to my mother's life is my own. I suppose I should go and be killed by the former Arcobaleno. But now is not the time. I have other things to do.

I hurried out after Kyoya, sprinting to his side and snagging his arm.

He stared at me with wide eyes, clearly flustered by my actions, "What is it?"

I grinned, pulling him down the hall towards our new destination, "I have someone I want you to meet."

"Meet?" He was confused. He couldn't comprehend what was happening but I don't blame him. He didn't know who we were searching for-well, I shouldn't say searching. I'm not searching. I can always feel him. I know exactly where I'm going.

My team had just arrived and I was so excited. I pulled my silent brother behind me until they were in view and I dragged him right into their path.

"Monkey King." Kyoya growled almost immediately upon being placed in front of my normally-furious boss.

Today, Xanxus was calm. He realized exactly what was happening before I even told him. He had been the one to ask for this after all.

"Ara~" Lussuria hummed, gesturing for the rest of the team to follow him ahead so we could have a moment in private. He touched my arm as he went as a gesture of encouragement.

Squalo did the same and I smiled to myself, not returning the gesture because it was unnecessary.

"Not Monkey King." I corrected, stunning my brother, "This is Xanxus. My boss and … uhh… special person."

Dropping his hand, I went to the boss, grabbing the elbow he stuck out to me as an offering. I waited and watched. My brother hadn't moved. I don't think he registered my words until a few long, awkward seconds had passed.

The moment it registered, my brother pulled his weapons on the man beside me. Each word he uttered dripped with unspoken threats and vows, "That's. My. Sister. You. Ape."

Oh shit.

This was not going well. I shouldn't be surprised. This is Kyoya we're talking about after all but what did actually surprise me was the boss' reaction. Err… His lack of reaction. He was waiting for me.

"This is the man I killed our parents for." I told him, watching as realization spread across his maturing features, "I chose him."

Displeased, Xanxus muttered, "I chose you, you piece of trash."

Kyoya's eyes narrowed but he didn't move. He was accepting the reality I had presented to him. He only had two choices. He could give me his blessing and I would continue to see the boss as I have been with the knowledge that my baby brother will not be upset. Or he could go the opposite way and oppose our relationship and come face to face with the realization that I don't need his approval to date.

He chose the former. He closed his eyes a moment and nodded, hiding his weapons away. He was so mature when he said, "Kira is my everything now. She has willingly gone to you but if she ever wants to return to me, I will bite you to death if you don't allow her to return. Do you understand me, Xanxus?"

The boss' name had fallen from my brother's lips with the utmost hatred. Kyoya was the most honest at this moment. He was genuinely telling the boss to treasure me. But I know Xanxus doesn't appreciate being told what to do.

Nervous, I glanced up at the boss who hadn't moved or spoken in the time Kyoya was coming to grips with the truth.

Boss narrowed his eyes, the only sign of his displeasure as he said without batting an eye, "I am the place she calls home. I have been for more than a decade."

Nooo! I internally groaned. His tone wasn't degrading but the words were definitely fighting words to Kyoya. I could only hope that my brother wouldn't take it wrong.

I saw the flash of purple glint in my brother's eyes. He was clearly offended. In the deepest, most threatening voice I had ever heard from him, Kyoya growled, "Kira, leave us."

I hesitated but the boss let me go on his own accord. Gritting my teeth, I stepped away and left, heading towards Lussuria and Squalo. I was not obedient but this was not a conversation meant for me. It was something to be settled between them and I could accept it.

Squalo and Lussuria both came to my side when I entered the hall and joined the guests. There wasn't much time left before the announcement was to be made and the ceremony took place. They were both anxious since I had arrived without the Cloud Guardian and without our boss.

Lussuria was the first to speak, "What happened?"

"They told me to go away." I admitted, defeated by the weakness in my own voice, "What if they kill each other?"

"Why did you obediently leave?!" Squalo roared, attempting to storm right back the way I had come but both Lussuria and I snagged his arms and kept him rooted in place.

"This isn't my choice!" I snapped, "I didn't want to leave either but I was just in the way. They have something to discuss."

"They better be discussing it with words." He huffed, snatching his arms from our grasp, "We can't have them showing up looking unsightly."

"What if they're beating each other black and blue?" Lussuria sobbed dramatically, "We're going to be in so much trouble for letting them have their way."

"Idiots." That condescending tone could only belong to Xanxus, "No, you won't."

We were shocked as the boss made his appearance just in time for Vongola Nono's stage appearance and announcement. I spun around to find my brother entering the room with the rest of the Tenth Generation. There was not a single scratch on him.

I turned back, gawking. Even the boss didn't have any bruises or cuts. Impossible.

"Don't ask." Boss said when I opened my mouth to demand the details of their conversation, "This is something meant to be kept between us."

I never found out what went on between them on this day. All I know is that Kyoya never complained about our relationship. We had earned his approval.