Author's Note: I'm so sorry from the long hiatus. I honestly thought that I'd have more time, but as I only managed to produce parts of chapters here and there, it took longer than expected to finish... I'm going to try to get back into a regular updating schedule, but for now, enjoy this chapter! I'll be back in a few days with another one! (Also, I really should update that list all the favorites, alerts, and reviews I've accumulated, but I'll do that some other time.)


Disclaimer: I do not own Katekyo Hitman Reborn.


I sigh as I make breakfast with Fran. Collecting information on the other groups on my own is a bit of a challenge, but I suppose it's one that can't be helped. "Why are moping around again, Kasumi-senpai?" Fran asks. "Is it all the sexual tension between you and Master?"

"Shut up, Fran," I reply. I feel my cheeks heat up just a bit. I do my best to conceal it. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"I happen to agree with Fran," Mukuro replies as he hugs me from behind. I do my best to ignore him and I focus my thoughts on my usual routine instead.

I transfer a stack of pancakes from the pan to a plate and hand it to Fran. "Here, Fran. That should be enough, right?"

Fran nods.

"There's some maple syrup in the fridge and some strawberries in a bowl for you," I tell Fran. I shrug Mukuro off and grab my bag after taking a pancake. I turn back to Fran. "Behave until I get back, alright? I left some bento in the fridge for lunch."

"Roger." he replies with a curt salute. "I'm not making any promises though," he adds.

I sigh quietly. "What am I going to do with you?" I shake my head. "Well, try your best alright? I can't save you if I'm in school."

"Okaaaay…"

I shake my head again. "At least try to sound convincing next time." I ruffle his hair. "I'll see you later then." I head to the front. "I'm heading out, Ken, Chikusa! There's food on the table!"

"Thanks!" Ken calls out.

When I head out, I'm surprised to find Hibari waiting for me. "Oh, good morning," I greet. "What brings you all the way here today?"

"Hibird," he replies. I get the feeling that it's an excuse, but I decide not to mention it.

I smile a little. "Well, good morning to you too, Hibird." I glance at the tree as I sense a presence. "You too, Arcobaleno. Fon-san, wasn't it? It's been a while."

The Storm Arcobaleno jumps out from the tree and lands on Hibari's head. "Good morning," he greets. "It's just as Kyoya said- You've got good sense."

"Is that so?" I reply, "I'm flattered." It's quiet as we head to Namimori. "I assume that you're going to ask if I'd like to join your team as a representative?" I ask.

"Would you consider it?" Fon asks.

"You do understand that I live with Team Verde, don't you?" I reply. "Joining a different team would be suicide." I fold my arms. "Though I would be lying if I said that I wasn't itching to fight as well." I consider it for a moment longer. "Alright. I'll take it."

Fon's eyes widen. "You will?"

"There's no need to pretend. If you'd expected me to say 'no' from the beginning, you wouldn't have asked if you didn't think that there was a chance I'd accept," I reply. "I was somewhat conflicted before about these teams and where I stand, but if it's for Hibari-san, then I've got no problems at all." Besides, I've been looking for something to take my frustration out on.


The school day passes by in a flash. I make sure to conceal my watch from the others so I don't tip them off. There wasn't anything about that in the rules, so I'm sure that it's fine. It's not as though we're in battle at the moment anyhow. Not one of the other participants seem to notice, so I suppose that they're all too preoccupied with something else at the moment. I pull out my cell as I head out of the classroom after class. "Hey, Fran," I greet as Fran picks up. "You haven't misbehaved, have you?"

"That depends," he replies. "What do you call 'misbehaving'?"

"Forget I asked; I don't want to know," I reply. "In any case, I'll be coming home a bit later today," I tell him.

There's a shuffling sound on the other end of the call and after a moment, Mukuro asks, "And why would that be?"

"I don't believe that I'm obliged to say," I reply. I hang up and head to meet up with Hibari.

On the way, I spot Dino heading down the hall. I shove my watch into the depths of my schoolbag and head over to him after he trips and falls on his face. "You're turning out to seem like a rather unreliable teacher, Dino-sensei," I greet as I help him pick up the papers he's scattered.

"Kasumi? What are you still doing here?" he asks.

"I'm about to go on patrol with Hibari-san," I reply. I finish gathering the papers and stack them up neatly for him. "Where are these supposed to go?" I ask.

"The faculty office," he replies sheepishly.

I sigh. It's pretty far from where we are now. "I'll bring them down for you," I say.

"You will? You don't have to," he replies. "I can handle it. Really."

"And risk having you fall again?" I reply. "I'd rather not." I begin to walk down the hall.

"You're actually a pretty good kid, aren't you?" he asks as we head down the stairs. "You're pretty reserved and distant most of the time, but on the inside, you have a good heart." I open my mouth to respond, but he falls face forward and down the stairs before I can say anything.

When I get down the stairs, Dino is busy dusting himself off. I'm surprised that he can take a fall like that and come out unscathed. It's actually rather impressive. "That would have sounded really cool just now if you didn't fall right after, Sensei," I say.

Dino opens the door to the faculty office for me and I thank him quietly before going inside and putting the papers on Dino's desk. "That's very kind of you, Sato," the math teacher comments as I turn to go.

"Not at all," I reply. "In anycase, please excuse me." I bow to my math teacher before turning to Dino and bowing. "Sensei." I leave the office and head to meet up with Hibari.


I look around as I follow Hibari into an expensive looking hotel. If we're coming here, then there's only one target that Hibari has in mind right now. Dino. I'm pretty sure that the Varia would stay in this place too though, so it would be best if I kept an eye out for them. Hibari wouldn't mind running into them, but because our team is so small, it'd be best to avoid confronting all the Varia at once.

"We've come to an extravagant place, huh?" Fon asks as we head through the lobby.

"The bucking horse was saying that he comes here at night," Hibari replies. So it was just as I'd thought…

"Why is it...?" Fon begins. "Why are you so fixated on Dino?"

"That person is the first that's wanted to become my mentor," Hibari says, "but an existence like that… I have no need for such a thing." We step into the elevator and as the door closes behind us, the watches warn us that the battle will begin in one minute.

I let out a deep breath and calm myself. I take out my scythe.

"You remember your promise for after we win the representatives' battle, I trust?" Hibari asks Fon.

"But of course," he replies.

The elevator dings before opening and when we step out, my fears come true. We come face to face with the Varia.

"Vooi~" Squalo grins. "And just when we were about to head out."

Bel laughs. "The duck's come to us carrying an onion." Aaannd of course, my presenence is negligible…

Clearly, Levi doesn't get the joke. "Hibari's carrying Fon, isnt' he…? That's not food." Blockhead…

"Mumu, Fon," Mammon greets.

"Hello, Mammon," Fon replies.

Hibari smirks. "Well isn't this happy… This place is just like a savanna."Only Hibari would be happy about things like this… I chuckle. Well, if he's not nervous, then I suppose that I can ease up a little.

"Hm? Boss Zaru isn't here, huh?" Hibari asks.

"Oi, Hibari," Squalo begins.

"You don't have time to smile…" Belphagor finishes.

"Will it be okay if we're your opponents?" Squalo asks.

"You can sharpen my fangs," Hibari replies.

I pull my hair in front of my eyes and activate the fourth path. "Can I beat the perverted squid, Hibari-san?"

He nods.

"'Perverted squid'?!" Levi exclaims.

Belphagor laughs. "I guess we know where Fran got it from."


I yawn as I watch Levi crash through the wall, effectively destroying his watch. "Oof… This is nothing…" He passes out.

"Nothing on my part, indeed," I reply as I look around to see if there's anything I can do to help Hibari.

Lussuria falls on his knees. "Fierce~" he manages to say before collapsing face-first on the floor.

Belphagor jumps backwards after dodging his knives, which Hibari sends flying back to him. "Hoh~~ Completely non-standard."

"Are you okay, Belphagor?" Squalo asks.

"Of course! I'm not like that dumb Levi or noisy Luss." He grins. "After all, I'm a prince." He holds up his arm. "Although, my watch was broken…"

"The Hell?!" Squalo exclaims. "That means you're finished! Shitty prince! And that's why you'll always stay a weakling!"

"But we're facing against that monster, so there's nothing I can do," he replies.

Squalo turns to Hibari. "Hmph. I didn't expect you to finish off two of my officers in an instant. But that's exactly what will get my blood boiling. This fight's about to get real!"

Hibari's expression darkens as Fon releases his curse. "Why are you doing something unnecessary?" Hibari asks.

"It's dangerous by yourself and it pains me to see that," Fon replies. He smiles at me. "And if not for me, then for Kasumi."

"Me?" I raise an eyebrow. "Is that so…" Going and making things more complicated than they already are, huh?

Hibari pushes Fon out of the way. "Can you get away? I can do it on my own."

I chuckle. They're like siblings.

"Hey, wait, Hibari!" Squalo exclaims. "If I defeat you first and end up destroying the Boss' watch… then I won't be able to enjoy an ultra-rare fight with an Arcobaleno."

"You won't defeat me," Hibari replies.

Fon smiles at Hibari. "Don't get offended. It's just a matter of rarity."

"Feel free to attack me all at once. I'll just cut you into nine pieces. Three each!" Squalo says.

"Shut up you useless shark!" a voice booms.

Squalo turns and slices the projectiles coming at him with his sword, but it proves to be ineffective as he gets hit with them anyway. "Mochi?!" Squalo exclaims. "It burns!"

"Kasumi, it looks like things are going to get very dangerous. It would be best if you stepped out for now," Fon says.

I raise and eyebrow. "I find that offensive you know."

He smiles gently. "I didn't mean it that way," he replies. "Would it be better if I asked you to back out so that I could take your place? You and I both know that Hibari doesn't like having too much assistance."

I suppose that he just wants to fight if that's the case. I nod. "I suppose so. I'll do what I can to support you two in that case."

"Thank you."


I watch as the battle unfolds. It's very intense, so I feel somewhat grateful towards Fon for taking me out of it. It ends rather quickly as Fon runs out of time to be free of the curse though.

"Y-Yes!" Mammon exclaims. "You see, Fon?! Even if I lose in our match, I win the representative war! Fon is already disqualified! You are the only one left, Hibari, Kyoya! We'll have your boss watch!"

Mammon casts and illusion and I work on countering immediately. It's difficult though. Mammon isn't an Acrobaleno for nothing, but if I don't manage to counter this illusion, then I have no right to call myself one of Mukuro's students.

"Now, Boss! Break his watch!" Mammon exclaims.

"Yeah, I've had enough," Xanxus agrees. "Die, trash."

My eyes widen a little as something grabs Mammon's wrists and I manage to cancel out the illusion with ease as his concentration breaks.

"Who is it?!" Mammon exclaims. "Who got in the way?! Who let the girl negate my illusion?!"

I hear Dino laugh. "Heh. Don't you dare raise your hand against my pupil."

"I've had enough of this," I say. I form my scythe in my hand. "My presence isn't negligible and I'm not just some girl." I glare at Mammon. "Don't you dare look down on my skill. If you can be defeated by Mukuro-sama in his illuionary form, then you can and will be defeated by me as well."

I smirk as Mammon cries out in pain; he was attacked by his own technique- Mirage R. I knew that I'd be able to make Mammon have doubts about victory.

"Are you prepared to be defeated by yourself?" I ask.