Author's Note: Hi guys! Long time no see! I wrote this up last week actually, but by the time I finished, it was kind of late. I'm sorry for the delay, again. I'm trying my best to write the chapters up as soon as I can. I'm feeling a bit too lazy at the moment to put all the new followers and reviews that I've received, but I'll get to it eventually. Sorry about that! Anyhow, enough of me rambling on and on, enjoy the chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Katekyo Hitman Reborn
I sit back in my chair as we go over the plan once more. "I know, I know. Fran and I will stay in the back to disguise you three as the Millifiore, right?" I ask. I pull out my mist rings. "Got it. There's no need to treat me like a child just because I'm the younger version, M.M."
"Kasumi-senpai, I'm telling you that they will," Fran warns.
I sigh and prepare to use the first path. Ken, Chikusa, and M.M.'s eyes widen. I look back at them impassively. I thought that my future-self would have explained to Ken and Chikusa, but I guess not. It's alright though, I'll be sure to explain it properly to Ken and Chikusa when I get back to present time. I pull my hair over my right eye. "Whenever you're ready," I say.
I let out a sigh as we sit around and wait. The plan went surprisingly smoothly, so there's nothing else to do now. I sit next to Fran as we wait. M.M. is fussing about her clothes still. Suddenly, Fran and I sneeze. "Huh? Is someone talking about us behind out backs, Kasumi-senpai?" Fran asks.
"I don't know," I reply, "Maybe we're getting sick?"
M.M. comes over and puts her hands on her hips. "Hey Fran! Cover your mouth!" M.M. holds out a black coat. "This coat was expensive! You won't be able to pay for it with your paltry Varia salary."
"You shouldn't wear such a fancy coat to work," Fran replies.
"You can't blame me for going all out on my appearance," M.M. replies, "I haven't seen him since the Kokuyo battle. A little kid like you wouldn't understand." She laughs. The Kokuyo battle huh? I doesn't feel like it was too long ago, but I guess that since we're ten years in the future, it really has been a while since then. I glance at Ken and Chikusa. They really haven't spoken to me since I came. I don't really get it, but I wonder if something happened?
"Man, I'm treated like a kid wherever I go," Fran mutters. "I think that Kasumi-senpai was the only one not to treat me like a little kid." M.M. shouts out suddenly. "Eh?" Fran asks.
"I told you not to put my bag upside-down! Geez!" M.M. exclaims as she holds her bag up. "This says W.W.!" She flips her bag around the right way. "My name is M.M.!"
"Why do I keep getting yelled at?" Fran asks. "Kasumi-senpai and I are the ones who set Master free."
Fran glances at Ken, who is jumping up and down on all fours in joy. "We did it!" Ken exclaims happily.
"And we have this animal wagging his tail," Fran mutters. I elbow him.
"Yeah! So happy!" Ken exclaims as he continues to jump.
M.M. asks, "So how does he look?"
"Huh?" Ken asks.
Chikusa stops drinking. "If a normal human were forced to be immobile in a water tank for ten years, it would take a significant amount of time for him to recover his motor skills," Chikusa replies.
Ken shrugs. "But he wanted us to get him on a plane to Japan right away. To defeat the Vongola!" Ken says. That's not it, Ken…
"That's not our goal here, Ken," Chikusa says.
"Eh?" Ken asks.
Fran comments, "I see that you've still got the sharp mind of a dog, Ken-nii-san. We're not on our way to defeat the Vongola. We're going to protect this girl named Yuni."
I nod. "Yeah, that's what Mukuro-sama said to do," I add. There's a scratching sound at the door and we all turn to look at the door.
"W-What is that?" M.M. asks. She looks a bit scared.
"Ghost?" Fran suggests.
I laugh. "Ghosts can't scratch, can they?" I ask. Head over to the door and open it. Kneel down as I see the white wolf. I smile and give the wolf a hug.
"A box weapon?" Ken asks.
"Good job, Katsu," I say. I let Katsu in and close the door. "Yeah, this is Kastu, my box weapon. I sent Katsu out by the prison to strengthen our illusions," I explain. "Chikusa," I say. Chikusa looks at me. "When's our flight to Japan?"
"We're leaving soon," Chikusa replies.
"Hear that? You'd better finish changing to show off to Master," Fran says to M.M. I laugh.
M.M. turns to me. "What are you laughing for, Kasumi? You're a girl too! You should understand," she says. Though I don't think that we've ever really gotten along too well, we tolerated each other because we were the only two girls. She looks at my clothes and sighs. "Geez, Kasumi! At least dress properly!" She grabs my wrist and drags me over to her rack of clothes. "The rest of you, out!"
"What?!" Ken exclaims.
"Ken, let's just go," Chikusa replies.
Ken frowns and then sticks out his tongue. "Fine. Whatever." Chikusa grabs Fran and they all head to where Mukuro is sleeping. Chickusa pulls the curtain closed.
"I can't fight with someone who is doesn't look fashionable enough. I wouldn't want to be seen with you like that," M.M. says with a frown. She pulls some of her clothes off the rack and tosses it at me. "Here. Change into this. You can keep it."
My eyes widen a little. M.M. is really fond of her clothing. "T-Thanks," I manage to say somehow.
"Just hurry and change," she replies as she looks to the side. I nod and M.M. goes behind the curtain to join the others so I can change. I wonder how Hibari, Sawada, and the others a holding out? I pull the clothes on quickly and head over to the curtain.
"Done," I say. "We should get going, right?"
"I'm glad to see that you and M.M. are getting along."
My eyes widen a little. "Mukuro-sama…" I start. I smile at him.
When we get to Japan, we head straight to the place where the battle is going on. Apparently there's a plan already. I smile. "Finally, there's a chance where illusions come into play and play a big role," I say.
"Can you handle it though, Kasumi-senpai? Last time I checked, you got really tired pretty quickly when you were using your real illusions," Fran comments. Mukuro looks at me.
I shake my head. "That was a while ago, Fran. I haven't been sitting around and doing nothing with my time," I reply.
Mukuro nods. "Let's begin then."
The battle seems pretty tough. Had they actually been fighting, we really would have lost. When the opponents think that they've won and relax, Mukuro nods at me and I start our counterattack. I turn one of the numerous serpentine spinosaurus's heads into Hibari's head. "What are you talking about? That will never happen," Hibari's voice says.
"What?!" Kikyo asks. I add the Sun Guardian's head and Basil's head to two others. Levi, Lussuria, Xanxus, and Bel's head appear as well.
"The heads!" Zakuro exclaims.
"We won't let you go, to the extreme," the Sun Guardian's voice says.
Basil's voice says, "We shall stop you." The heads all attack the three of the six real Funeral Wreaths.
"W-What? T-They're attacking me?!" Kikyo asks.
Zakuro turns to him in panic after getting hit. "What's going on, Kikyo?!"
Kikyo still seems to be shocked. "H-How can this be?" His eyes widen. "An illusion?"
Bel laughs. "Shishishi. When do you think the illusion began?" Kikyo grits his teeth in annoyance and looks in our direction. He finally must have sensed us. "There you are!" he exclaims as he sends an attack pretty close to where we are. There's an explosion.
As the smoke from the attack surrounds us, Fran asks, "Huh? Master, you took a step forward and took Kasumi-senpai with you. You always have to be the center of attention."
Mukuro laughs. "What are you talking about?" he asks. The smoke clears. "Your head was blocking me. My adorable little Kasumi was being blocked as well."
"You always try to hog all the glory. You shouldn't be using how short Kasumi-senpai is as an excuse, you know?" Fran replies.
"What?!" Kikyu exclaims.
"T-That's…!" Zakuro says. Bluebell gasps.
Hibari steps forward and holds his tonfas up. "Are you done?" he asks. He seems very annoyed as he asks, "Why did you fake our deaths?"
"Sorry," I apologize to Hibari. He glances at me.
The Sun Guardian asks, "Is the illusion over?"
"Yeah, looks like it," the Storm Guardian replies.
Bel says angrily, "I gave you your ten seconds."
"That was over thirty seconds," Lussuria chimes in.
"D-Damn it," Levi says as he holds a tightened fist up.
"Damn frog," Bel says.
"Tch," Fran replies. "Oops, I clicked my tongue." I laugh.
"W-What's going on, idjit?!" Zakuro exclaims with wide eyes.
Kikyo looks pretty worried too. "I-It couldn't be…"
"We defeated a bunch of illusions?!" Bluebell exclaims with a look of horror.
Mukuro turns to them. "Kufufufufufu. I'm done warming up," Mukuro says with a laugh.
"The enemies we thought we defeated were merely illusions?" Kikyo asks. He still looks pretty troubled.
On other hand, Mukuro looks really amused as he laughs again. "Exactly. I swapped the illusions in during the fight." Hibari glares at Mukuro.
"Hey, Fran," Bel calls out as he waves his knives.
Fran turns around to look at Bel. "Yes, Senpai?"
"You're free to use illusions to fool the enemy, but was there any point in showing us die?" Bel asks.
Despite his grin, it's pretty easy to tell from the knives that he's holding up that he's annoyed right now. I kind of wonder if Fran can't tell, or if Fran just wants to annoy Bel anyways. "You don't get it, Bel-senpai. We were adding some reality. Illusions are like a prank of some sorts. Isn't that right, Master?" Fran says with a bored expression. Fran… that's wrong…
"No," Mukuro replies bluntly.
"Huh?" Fran asks.
Bel snaps. "You bastard!"
Fran continues, "Then it must be that. Master's love of gore." He's digging his own grave now.
"No," Mukuro says. He sticks his trident straight into Fran's hat.
"M-Mukuro-sama…" I start.
"What?!" the Sun Guardian exclaims.
Lussuria puts his hands on his face. "My!"
Still with a bored expression, Fran says in his monotone voice, "Master, that hurts. Please stop."
"These illusions served two purposes. Can you name them, my adorable little Kasumi?" Mukuro asks.
I nod. "Yes. First off, to serve as your warm up. Second, to gather information on the real six Funeral Wreaths's abilities, right?" I reply.
Mukuro at me smiles and nods. "Good," he says. "By giving them a sense of superiority, we were successful in learning about Bluebell's defensive zone and Kikyo's underground attacks."
Bluebell gasps. "Oh-ho," Kikyo says.
Fran puts his fist on his palm. "I see!"
Bel throws the three knives at his head. "Stop playing dumb! How long are you going to maintain this illusion of Mukuro Rokudo? He's locked up at the bottom of Vindicare!" Bel says angrily. He turns to me. "Or is it her that's doing it?"
"Oh? You didn't hear?" Fran asks. "That guy with the pineapple hair isn't an illusion, but Mukuro Rokudo in the flesh." I wince. The taboo…
"Hm?" Mukuro asks. Somehow, he seems a bit calmer than he would have ten years ago. He sticks his trident into Fran's hat again.
"My Master was released from Vindicare Prison!" Fran declares. Hibari's eyes dart to Mukuro and Bel's mouth opens in shock.
"What?!" the Storm Guardian asks. He looks at me. "You…"
"Incredible!" the Sun Guardian says.
Ken grins and laughs haughtily. "How do you like that? Mukuro-san is awesome!"
Fran turns to Ken. "It's harder to explain when you talk, so please be quiet, Ken-nii-san."
"Keeh! What was that, Fran?!" Ken exclaims.
"Calm down, Ken," Chikusa says.
"Oh-ho," Kikyo says, "If Mukuro Rokudo's students were the ones who managed to fool the infallible Vindice guards, it all makes sense."
Fran says in his monotone way still, "Yay, Master, Kasumi-senpai. We're famous."
Mukuro stabs Fran again. "Shut up," Mukuro says. He looks at Xanxus. "I appreciate you giving me this worthless student, Xanxus."
Hibari holds his tonfa up. "Either way, I didn't need your help," he says as he looks at Fran and Mukuro.
"Hibari, h-hold on!" the Sun Guardian exclaims.
Mukuro takes his trident out of Fran's hat. "Don't act tough, Hibari, Kyoya. A man like you should be fully aware."
Hibari continues to frown. "Hm."
Mukuro smiles. "Besides, acting tough won't impress my adorable little Kasumi," Mukuro adds. What? How did I come up in this conversation? Mukuro turns to where Kikyo and the other two are. "After using illusions to learn their techniques, it is clear that the real six Funeral Wreaths are very strong. Our lives will literally be on the line in this battle to the death. "
Fran produces a yellow megaphone of some sorts. "Okay! Time to start the show!"
Hibari shrugs a little. "Very well. We can continue this discussion after they've been defeated." He seems strangely calm for some reason.
"Oh-ho. Well, Zakuro? Did we buy you enough time?" Kikyo asks.
"Yeah, my left arm made a full recovery during their boring discussion. You missed your chance, idjits!"
"Shishi," Bel laughs. "You're the idiot. We were waiting for you."
"What?" Zakuro asks.
Levi replies, "The boss wants you to be whole when he destroys you."
Mukuro turns to Xanxus and smirks. "You never change, Xanxus."
"We're ending this once and for all!" the Storm Guardian declares.
Hibari holds his tonfas up and smirks. "Let's get started."
Kikyo says, "This is where the Millefiore and the Vongola will have their final battle."
"The side which controls this area shall prevail in the end," Mukuro says.
"But you don't get to fight, Master. You can suck your thumb and watch," Fran says. Fran must really want to die.
"Oh?" Mukuro asks.
"You're still recovering, so you should at least wait for the Vongola Box to arrive," Fran explains. Well, he has a point this time.
Ken turns to Chikusa. "By the way, where did that stupid girl go?"
Chikusa pushes his glasses up. "Chrome isn't here yet…"
I fish around in my pocket and find the communication piece that the future Hibari gave me when we attacked the Millefiore base. I turn it on and put it into my right ear. "I should probably contact Sawada-san, shouldn't I?" I mutter. I press the button on the earpiece. "Sawada-san? Can you hear me?" I ask.
It sounds like there some static, but other than that, it seems like the connection is alright. "Sato-san?!" he exclaims. So he can hear me.
I laugh. "Don't sound so surprised, Sawada-san. I held on to the communication device the future Hibari-san gave me a while ago," I explain. "Anyways, the Kokuyo gang has arrived safely. As I assume that you know by now, we successfully got Mukuro-sama out of Vendicare Prison. Thought that I'd let you know. Seems like the fighting is going to pick up again. See you."
