DISCLAIMER: I don't own KHR or any of the associated characters aside from my OCs.
"If something happens to Enma, consider yourself dead." Adelheid threatened me for the fifth time in an hour.
I rolled my eyes. She doesn't scare me. I'm more worried about our opponents for the Vongola Tournament. Why was Fon playing for Dino? Did he know I was their opponent before he accepted Dino's request? Did Kyoya know I would be the enemy? I was definitely insecure about my position.
Our teamwork is strong and it's even stronger with the addition of Kozato Enma. Gravity plays into our strengths well. Kozato was my wildcard and I picked him with this in mind. I'm glad it ended up working the way I thought it would work. He was diligent in his vow to fight with his dying will.
"Alright." I sat in our semi-circle, broken by the boss' need to smoke by the window, "I think we need to decide our opponents. If they force us into one on one fights, we can't win. Reborn is too big a hurdle."
"I'll take him." Boss said it so simply we almost thought he hadn't said anything at all. He smirked at my slackened jaw, "So suck me off when we win."
"Vo-Voi! You shitty boss!" Squalo grumped, blushing darkly as Lussuria gave us the wiggly eyes, "He's an Arcobaleno. Why didn't you pick Mammon?!"
"Mammon can't beat Fon, Reborn or Kyoya. He's at a disadvantage here." I cut them off before they could fight, "I'll leave him to you, boss. But our first option is to fight together! Make sure you don't pick individual fights. In any case, I'll take Kyoya or Fon…. I kind of think Fon is going to come straight for me."
"Then leave your brother to me." Squalo grinned with all the confidence of our youth. It reminded me of the Arcobaleno Representative Battle, "Luss, get Chrome and Kozato can deal with Cavallone."
Kozato didn't look very confident. Respect for Dino made his will shrivel. That's so weird to me. I respect each and every one of our opponents so it excites me beyond a regular fight. I'm overjoyed by the prospects of fighting someone as strong or stronger than me but Kozato isn't the battle hungry maniac the rest of us happen to be.
"Look." I told him, "Dino used to be a crybaby in the past. He used to be wimpier than you so just have confidence in yourself because I trust you."
He was laughing at the thought of Dino as a loser, I know he was. It's hard to picture it if you didn't see it yourself. Dino was such a crybaby despite his suave, knightly attitude nowadays. I wonder if his lover knows.
"Let's load up and head out. I want to scope out Mafia Land first." I stood, leading them out without looking back.
Boss would join us on the helicopter when he finished his smoke. He's getting excited too. I can tell cause he's got that glint in his eyes.
We talked strategy when we gathered on the helicopter.
"They'll probably protect Chrome in a group fight. She's an exceptional illusionist so don't let your mind wander even a little bit." I warned, "She's quiet but she's not the meek child you remember."
"Anyone who was conditioned by you is a monster in my book." Squalo snorted, cleaning his sword as the vehicle took off, "We need to eliminate her first so we need to draw her out of their protection or break through their wall."
"Their wall is made up of Kyoya, Fon, and Dino so there's no way. Reborn's got range so he might end up backline too." I mused, "Then how about we play their game? Making Boss and Luss backline, we can boost our fighting potential. I've got a strong defense in Cambio Forma so long as I don't let my wings lose their flame coating."
"Risky. Playing an offensive card as a defense is a challenge in and of itself." Squalo scolded me, "Your strategy calls for our two strongest offensive pieces to play defense-you and boss."
"I've got an idea." Boss smirked when we turned on him in surprise, "How about you losers move over and leave this fight to me and Kira?"
"... That is the dumbest fucking idea you've ever had!" Squalo roared, furious that he was saying something ridiculous after we had a serious start to our strategy meeting, "Those guys are monsters! You don't stand a chance without us!"
"No…" I grinned, "I think he's got a point. If you three will play defense, we'll put up the strongest offense. Trust us."
It's not like he has a choice. The boss' orders are absolute. We all want to win here.
O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~O
The crowd roared as we entered the colosseum built in Mafia Land solely for the Vongola Tournament. From the opposite end, Dino was leading his team forward to meet us in the middle. We shook hands with our opponents as Sawada's voice repeated the stakes of this fight. We naturally sank into our positions-a V-line with boss and me at the ends and Kozato at the apex.
My brother's eyes grew wide. They had misjudged. They didn't expect us to come at them as a team. That's Kyoya's weakness. It always has been. He never wants to fight as a team. Of course they would try to come at us and turn this into a one on one.
Don't let them separate us.
The natural weakness of the V-line is that the center is wide open. Kyoya went for it the minute the bell went off.
"Kyoya!" Dino warned but it was already starting just as we wanted it to. Too bad Dino was a versatile fighter. He knew Kyoya's personality as well as I did and he was right there to back him up as he attempted to cut straight into Kozato.
A blazing bullet stopped him in his tracks. Boss' lips pulled back into a fierce growl as Dino's whip snapped toward him. Free hand up, he grabbed the bullwhip without hesitation. The first drops of blood fell from his hands as the thick leather cut into his skin when Dino pulled it back out of his grasp.
My ring lit up, momentarily focused on reaching my most powerful state when Fon came forward. Speed was his forte just like it had always been. I was pulled back by Squalo, narrowly avoiding a blow to my nose. Our formation was broken.
Bullets went back and forth, Reborn aiming at us, boss aiming at them. They were successfully separating us. Facing off against Fon, we met with our worst case scenario. I couldn't focus on the others. I had to put my everything into going even with the Storm Arcobaleno.
Each blow was ruthless but this was not for revenge. I could feel each blow becoming heavier and heavier. I couldn't retaliate. I couldn't achieve Cambio Forma. He feinted to the left and then came at me with a sweeping kick to the right. I saw it coming but I had already fallen for the feint and raised my arms to the left. A blazing bullet went by, narrowly missing my skin as it forced Fon to abandon his attack.
"Thank you!" I called to the boss as my ring lit up, "Aquilos! Cambio Forma!"
Propagation activated, my wings spread wide enough to knock all of our opponents away in one big sweep. Allies complained left and right about my risky global flap but they had all dodged no problem. They had predicted my desperation move and the only person who couldn't was behind me-Kozato.
Wings retreating to their normal size, I took off. I crashed my full armored weight against Fon's torso.
"Kira, the plan!" Squalo warned as I picked a fight solely with Fon.
"There is no plan." I heard the boss tell him, "This is our optimal strategy."
"Tch. Have it your way, shitty boss."
Flight as my newest weapon, I went head to head with Fon. The crowd roared as Reborn's plan to help was dismantled by the boss. We can compete against Arcobalenos. To the world it might have been a sign that we were catching up to the previous generation in strength but that's not the right way to see it. We've long surpassed them. We just haven't been able to show them yet. Their era is over.
Fon is kind so people don't really see this often but he's just as competitive as I am. He loves the thrill of the fight and he's properly feeling it here.
This is so weird. I thought he would be more angry with me but he's fighting me without an ounce of malice. I know he's not one to fight for revenge but this is a different case. He should hate me with every ounce of his being.
Then again Fon was never the hating type. Well maybe he just needs a reminder. Displaying all the strength I had earned in my time as a mafioso, I resolved to show Fon the very monster who had killed his precious sister.
Initial intentions temporarily forgotten, I drove Fon to a limit I never knew existed. I'm no longer the child who admired my uncle as the invincible Arcobaleno he seemed to be. Now, I'm more than capable of going toe to toe with him.
It wasn't until my Cambio Forma was coming undone that I stopped to realize that my allies were giving me the one on one I never knew I wanted. They were playing a team game to keep the rest of Fon's team out of our fight. I felt bad. I was the one who had preached teamwork as our best strategy but I was the first to fight solo. I'm the worst. But they'll forgive me.
They roared victoriously as my fist made solid contact with Fon's ribcage, sending him flying up into the crowd. The blaze of my purple flames sparked Squalo's usual, "VOIII!"
He wasn't done yet. Almost looking unfazed, he was soaring back down into the ring to finish our match but I consider this my win already.
"KOZATO!" I called for an unlikely ally, shocking my allies and enemies all at once but he reacted because he had been waiting for me to call.
I dug my feet into the dirt as his power began to draw Fon closer much too fast for him to control. I dug my heels deep and braced for the impact. I can't tell you if I punched Fon in the face or if Fon's face came crashing into my fist but either way, the impact was enough to shatter the fingers off my gauntlet.
"Finish them!" Boss ordered, anger in his tone but I knew it was mostly due to jealousy. I had called for Kozato Enma over him after all but that's for another time. We finally turned the tables.
"I want Dino!" I announced and my coworkers complained about my greed and proceeded to shift accordingly to my wishes. I'm holding a grudge. I'll teach him to fucking pick Chrome as a handicap for me. I DON'T NEED A HANDICAP.
With our numbers, we brought them crashing down in defeat. An impossible victory was pulled from our asses. The match ended when Luss and I sent Dino flying into Reborn's side. When they looked up, boss was holding a gun to their faces saying, "Game over."
Between Squalo and Kozato, poor Kyoya was done and Chrome… CHROME?!
The image of Reborn melted away, revealing the illusionist I didn't consider competition. My arrogance bit me in the ass today. I turned as Reborn appeared in the same place he had been when the battle began. He hadn't moved an inch. His entire existence had all been an illusion that went unnoticed under the cover of Fon's aura and Kyoya's malicious-enough-for-two battle energy.
Bullets went off, aiming to off everyone at once. Ambitious bastard!
Once again, our unlikely ally surprised everyone—me included. Bravely, he sucked all the bullets towards himself. Of course Reborn wouldn't kill us but who knows what those Leon-made specialty bullets are made to do. Not wasting his well-chosen sacrifice, we leaped into action. There was no mercy as the boss slammed the butt of his gun down on Chrome's head. No more illusions to cover them, Dino edged away.
Barring Kyoya's way, I let Squalo go at it with Reborn. At close range, he would win for sure. The toll of fighting two on one was getting to my brother. I was merciless in my unrestrained beating, half-lost in the thrill of potential victory but this was not an easy win. Reborn had beaten Squalo and turned the tables.
Chrome's illusion is going to be their sure-win card if we can't change the way this is going. I'm furious at myself for overlooking her skill. I had told her that women are just as potent on the battlefield but I had been the one to overlook her potential here.
Reborn and Chrome were an unexpected duo. That makes me so mad. I had tried so hard to pick my own unexpected ally that I hadn't thought they would do the same. Chrome is not a weird choice at all. I don't know why I didn't think they would pick her.
If we don't win, I'm challenging Chrome until I humiliate her. I'm a sore loser. I admit it. Good thing I'm not about to lose.
Luss and boss gave poor Dino the royal Varia beating until his pretty little face was almost unrecognizable. Reborn offed Lussuria and would have put down the boss if he wasn't such a stubborn instinct-driven beast. Now, we were at the last two-Reborn and Kyoya.
Reborn was full on willing to cover for Kyoya. It was their optimal strategy. Reborn shooting from the back. Kyoya charged at us head on. This was too predictable. I moved to engage my brother in frontal combat and boss demonstrated the ability to shoot at Reborn's skill level if not more. Like this, we were even.
The back of my fists were pushed against Kyoya's tonfas as he tried to smash my head in on either side. Neither of us intended to lose ground but he was bearing his weight down on me like he thought he could out push me in this position.
"Switch." Boss ordered and I didn't have to think twice about it.
I spun out of the way, surprising Kyoya who thought I wouldn't dip out of a one on one on someone else's orders. I smiled and went whistling by as he stumbled forward from the sudden change in weight. Boss cut him off when he regained his footing and tried to give chase. I forced Aquilos to give me a second burst, regrowing the metal wings that felt like part of my body at this point.
Reborn smirked, probably thinking these wings were for flight. I'm not dumb. If I take off, he has the advantage. These are for defense this time. Ordinary bullets don't do damage to Aquilos' armor-plated wings. I might not be able to out fight Reborn but that chameleon is a different story. I have more stamina than a lizard and I proved it on the spot.
Leon was out of juice and Reborn was out of specialty bullets. He seemed to recognize that he was in a bad position, "Hibari, we need to swap."
"Hell no." My voice blended with the boss' and we laughed breathlessly for a moment and said, "Nevermind. Let's switch."
I gave the stunned Reborn a fierce roundhouse kick to the side of his head, sending him flying just as the boss struck my brother against the opposite side with his pistol. The two last members of Cavallone's team crashed against each other, leaving them dazed for a moment by the brunt of their own weight.
It only took them a moment to regather their bearings and they instantly dived out of the way as the boss' flaming bullet came crashing down between them but I was ready. Kyoya had backed straight into my range and I let him have it. A brain rattling kick to his temple followed by a fierce kick to the shoulder had him sprawled on the floor but I didn't give him a break just yet. I slammed my foot under his body and sent him soaring towards Reborn who was forced to steady his ally and then it was over.
The boss had his gun pressed to the back of Reborn's head. The Arcobaleno seemed to realize what had just happened but he didn't seem upset. He was defeated by superior teamwork after all. That's what happens when you put together a team that never fights together. It doesn't matter how strong each person is individually.
Shouldering Kyoya's weight on one side, Reborn put up his other arm in surrender, "Not bad at all."
Neither of us really heard him. The cheering of the crowd was deafening but I couldn't hear that either. I had made eye contact with the boss, frozen as we slowly realized what had just happened. We had just proved we were the ultimate duo.
I took an uncertain step towards him and then another. Before I knew it, I was dead sprinting into his chest. There was no warning for our crowd. He lifted me up and pressed our lips together in a heated kiss, forgetting our victory wish. Fuck it. I don't need a wish. I got everything I ever wanted. Boss and I are the strongest… Together.
It wasn't until Reborn was pulling us apart for the closing comments from Sawada that we were reminded of how open we were being with our relations. The whole mafia world was bearing witness to our match today and they had just witnessed a small bit of our lustful nature.
I blushed darkly, glancing away from the boss who was looking extremely irritated by the crowd right about now. I only turned redder when he pulled me under his arm and kept me attached to his side.
Sawada's words blurred into focus, "So, it's time to grant the wishes of our winning team. Hibari Kira, what's your wish?"
Coming down from the high of the battle, I remembered what I originally wanted to fight for in this demonstration match. I glanced at Fon who had recovered and I hesitated.
Boss gave me a heavy handed push and when I looked back in mild surprise he smirked knowingly and tilted his head toward the former Arcobaleno.
I took a quiet but deep breath and reached my hand out towards Fon, "My wish is to have a grand feast with my team and yours. Everyone has to attend. It's not optional. Please pay for everything, Vongola Decimo."
Sawada smiled but the twinkle in his eyes threw me off. It was almost as if he knew this had been my wish all along, "Your wish is granted! Tell me the date and the location and I will reserve the whole restaurant for the two teams here today. It was a good fight. Congratulations, Kira."
It was finally over. I mean, the fight. The apology I owe Fon is long overdue and I'm honestly not too sure he'll accept seeing as I forced him to come be with me but what can I do? I have no other choice.
Boss was done here. Sawada was making the final statement about future tournaments and the endless possibilities for wishes. Of course the catch is that our own teams (ie. Dino's famiglia and the Varia and even his Guardians) will be forming teams to get their wishes granted too.
Boss motioned for Levi and the rest of the officers who were coming down from the stands to greet us, "Get the trash. Meet us back at base."
"Yes, boss!"
I snickered and rolled my eyes, turning to give them a hand with our fallen comrades when he snagged my arm and gave me a harsh yank back to his side, "What? Other orders?"
"I did you a favor here now you owe me. Fucking suck me off."
I laughed so hard I might've popped a blood vessel but he got what he wanted eventually.