OpalescentGold: I do not own Katekyo Hitman Reborn.
Conclusion
This is how the Ring Battles end.
Reunite
Even in the grip of an Eclipse, Noriko can feel the distinct Flames that burn in the Rings that have responded to the call of the Moon.
They whisper to her, memories and affection and recognition. They know her, even if this is not the form she took in centuries past, even if this is not their true spirits but just the imprints of who they once where.
For a single, irrational moment, Noriko thrusts aside the cool of the Eclipse and wants desperately to keep the Vongola Rings in her possession forever.
But it takes less than a second for the weight of the Judgment to settle back on her shoulders, and she looks up to meet the startled brown eyes of Sawada Tsunayoshi and the angry red eyes of Varia Xanxus.
Results
"Xanxus of the Varia has been disqualified and defeated. Thus, the position of Vongola Heir goes to Sawada Tsunayoshi," the Arbiter judges, her layered voice of authority and regency easily reaching even those in the far edges of the battlefield.
The Sky Ring vanishes from between her hands to appear on the younger Sky's finger with a flash of orange flame and a surprised squeak from Tsunayoshi. It is heavy with the sins of the past and the expectations of the future.
"The Guardians of the future Vongola Decimo shall be Gokudera Hayato of the Storm, Yamamoto Takeshi of the Rain, Sasagawa Ryohei of the Son, Hibari Kyoya of the Cloud, Bovino Lambo of the Lightning, and Dokuro Chrome of the Mist."
With each individual that she names, the corresponding ring disappears to return to its proper owner. Reactions are varied. The Storm, Rain, and Sun look happy, the Mist smiles slightly, the Lightning is unconscious, and the Cloud huffs.
And the Moon looks around, meeting every participant's gaze with her own. "With this, the Ring Battles are over," she declares unflinchingly, as certain as the blue sky and the free clouds and the soothing rain.
No one dares to disagree.
Aftermath
"Who is she, Reborn?" Iemitsu demands over the phone, no doubt caught up by his apprentice as to what happened. "Basil tells me he couldn't figure out what Flame she had at all."
"That's unsurprising," Reborn says, hiding in the bushes in a plant costume with a telescope raised to his eyes to keep an eye on the developing situation between Tsuna and Longchamp. "Since I don't know either."
"What!?" Iemitsu sounds a mix between incensed, horrified, and bemused. Not surprising given that this is Reborn talking. "If you don't know anything about her, then why are you letting her influence my son!?"
Reborn narrows his eyes dangerously, although Iemitsu can't possibly see. "Don't be ridiculous, Iemitsu. Reiki Noriko has been Tsuna's best friend since kindergarten. Do you really think Tsuna will take any attack on her lying down?"
Iemitsu scoffs dismissively. "Tsuna's young. It's our job to protect him, and this Noriko not only has a completely unknown Flame, she stopped an entire battle by herself! Did you do any digging on her past at least?"
"Of course." Who does Iemitsu think Reborn is? "There's nothing even remotely suspicious about her. Middle class, somewhat struggling family, normal, law-abiding parents, and good grades all throughout school."
"Maybe I should send someone over to deal with her - "
"No, Iemitsu," Reborn snaps sharply, hand tightening harshly on his Leon-telescope for a moment before he forces himself to relax again. "Don't you dare lay a finger on Reiki Noriko."
There's a baffled pause. "Reborn, you like her?" Iemitsu questions incredulously.
"What I think is irrelevant," Reborn says bluntly. "The second Noriko gets hurt because of the Mafia, Tsuna will turn on the Vongola. And if he ever finds out the order came from you, he'll never forgive you, father or not."
When Iemitsu speaks again, he sounds unusually subdued. "This girl - she's really that important to my tuna-fishie?"
Reborn resists the urge to roll his eyes. "I told you, she's his first and best friend. Tsuna trusts Noriko wholeheartedly, and Noriko is definitely on Tsuna's side no matter what. Don't even try separating them. It won't work."
Unknown
"Hiieee! What do I do!?" Tsuna shrieks, running around in an absolute panic. "It's been two weeks and Nori-chan still hasn't snapped out of the Eclipse! It's never gone on for so long before!"
Reborn kicks him in the head, to his pained cry. "Calm down, Dame-Tsuna. You won't be of any help to your family in such a state," he scolds, sipping his morning cup of coffee smoothly. "It's unbecoming for a mafia boss to panic."
"I'm not going to become a mafia boss!" Tsuna refutes, like he always does, and dials Ryohei, because Nori is with the Sun at the moment, attending his boxing match.
Ryohei cheerfully confirms that Noriko is fine and very extreme! A bit quieter, he adds that there's no change to her condition since the last time Tsuna called.
Tsuna sits down at the edge of his bed, flipping his phone closed, and recalls the raw purity of the silver light that flared that night, the wild serenity and cool wisdom, implacable conviction and unshakable inevitability.
He knows no one but Nori probably knows what that light was - and she is in no condition to answer anyone's questions - but he can't help but wonder anyway.
Recovery
When Noriko "wakes" up, it has been twenty days since the Ring Battles have ended and she is in Kyoya's home.
"Sorellona! I didn't mean to do it, honest!" Lambo wails, all but diving into her arms in tears.
And, more importantly, Reborn, Hayato, and Tsuna are missing, courtesy of the ten year bazooka.