There is a poll on my profile. I would love if you answered it for me, even if it is mostly curiosity.

So I'm back from my hiatus, and I'm back into writing semi-frequently again, at least for a year. I'll be on-off for the next few months, probably until Christmas because I'm in the horrible process of moving, but at least I have no more exams to worry about. Thank you all for your patience, I love you all and cannot thank you enough.

E'la Nostra Ora Incisa Sull'anello

Been to hell and back.

"Primo guardian's thoughts and speech."

"Tsuna and guardians thoughts and speech."

Beta'd by the wonferful mercyn~~

There was a steely kind of electricity in the air on the night of the mist battle, I couldn't place it, and I wouldn't be able to until the battles were all over. But that night, as I waited with the Varia, I felt my gut clench uncomfortably.

I could almost hear my mist's words in my head, ringing and ringing as if they were some kind of twisted leash, 'Why are you acting so weak, Giotto? That is not the man I decided to follow.' even in death and separation, Daemon still managed to get under my skin. I allowed him to, because he was precious to me, but it didn't make it any less uncomfortable.

"Boss I've come to ask a favour...to use that power tonight."

I wasn't so unnerved by the question as the consequences it entailed. Though, I would put my unease down to the fact that I had no idea who Decimo's guardian of mist was. He had no friends with the affinity, and it was so unwise to make a guardian out of a man who was not your friend; a lesson me and my guardians has learnt the harsh way.

"Go ahead, mammon."

Mammon was strong, too. It didn't help my unease to realise this. Though trapped in that accursed Arcobaleno body, the man was strong and undeniably intelligent. It made my skin crawl to be so in the dark about Tsunayoshi's guardian. If I knew at least their skill set I could calm myself some.

Xanxus was confident, and I didn't know if I could be. I knew Decimo would win and that his mist was going to be powerful; but I didn't know. It was a repeat of so many of Decimo's other battles. It made me tired and hurt. Sighing and crossing my arms over my chest, I allowed myself to fade back into my ring. I would await the battle with great trepidation, as I did every other battle. This one different only because of the raging curiosity in the back of my mind.

G appeared with me as usual when the Varia had arrived at the Gym. But he was the only guardian. Few of us had forgiven our friend for what he had done to us in life, though I may have been the only one to still consider him as such, and I was under no disillusion that my only supporter here tonight would be G; I would never be able to thank him enough for his loyalty, I knew that. I was also not really sure that my mist would even appear, he was so flippant with his job, and it was often that these guardianship battles ended without him having judged or seen his candidates.

"Only two more battles, boss." G explained with a sigh, he yawned lightly before running a hand through his hair. "Good riddance, I hate these things."

"Sorry, G. But a duty is a duty."

G made a non committal sound and I knew he was telling me that I was being ridiculous, but it was hard not to feel guilty. Though it was not my intention to pull my friends into this, our wills will continue to live on in our rings.

I looked around the arena with interest, it was always curious, the mist battles. For Vongola the mists' jobs were to create, to build what was never there out of objects nowhere to be seen and to hide immovable structures in a way that can make people believe they were never there to begin with. So I supposed that this arena was perfect.

The gymnasium was empty, all the balls used that afternoon in lessons were stored away, the lights shone brightly on the gleaming floor, and the benches usually lining all four walls were pushed against the two north and south facing ones instead.

Tsunayoshi sat on the south facing wall, knocked out for some reason, though I imagine it has something to do with that Hitman tutor of his so I wasn't exactly…concerned by it.

"Here come the brats." G sighed, he pulled a cigarette from his pocket and as he lit it I sighed. Even in death the habit sticks.

"Hey boss, how you doin'?"
As usual, at the storm guardians brash fussing, G beside me scoffed and turned away in frustration. Though the boy had a good heart and a similar loyalty to his sky as G had when we were younger the young storm had much more to learn than G ever did.

"Your eye!"

The rain laughed it off, pointing to his eye and babbling on about how he was fine. He knew –even if he wasn't totally aware of the 'mafia' –that his friend needed reassurance, and he gave it willingly.

"Thank goodness."

I know it sounds strange, but I enjoyed seeing Tsunayoshi open up more to his guardians. I enjoyed seeing him worry about them, and become relieved once he knew they were emotionally and –for the most part –physically alright too. It showed his makings of a leader; not a boss, but a friend.

A sudden cool rush caused my gut to flip, and I was suddenly aware of a cool wash of warm flames and a sudden explosion of hot energy press against my own sky flames. Surprised and confused I spun around to see Knuckle and Ugetsu appear out of the air behind us. I had not expected them to appear tonight; no guardians cared for the mist battles.

I felt a chilling rush as the Varia entered, but it wasn't because of the Varia themselves.

"Giotto, it's the ultimate pleasure to see you again!"

"Yare, Yare. More bothersome battles."

"Hnn, these brats haven't been following the rules of this competition. Much like you, Giotto."

The Varia was like graceful cats. They strolled in as one group, strong and firm, but there was an individuality to them that spoke miles about their strength and independence from each other that made their teamwork both hectic and near perfect.

Xanxus sat heavily in his chair, talking quietly to mist guardian and I thought he looked somewhat lost, missing his Rain as he was; his other –living –guardians stood around waiting with silent assurance.

"Sawada Tsunayoshi. We need your mist guardian candidate to step forward or you will be forced to forfeit this match." The Cervello were in the centre of the gym, looking on with their masked eyes and important airs.

Just as Tsunayoshi was about to voice his protest of not even having a mist guardian I watched as his entire body froze. I felt his flames bucked in confusion. As our intuitions touched for a second I felt the shiver of unease assault him before he spun around to watch the gymnasium doors with a cool gaze similar to his HDW mode. Though the look was short lived, and soon a name tumbled off his tongue in a mix of unease, surprise, and deep in there too was relief.

"Mukuro…?"

Two boys stepped through the doors, and I knew from the surprised looks that they were both expected and yet not the boy that my candidate had be sure was behind the shiver of emotion that wracked his spine.

As these feral boys argued with Decimo's guardians I watched with interest as another figure stepped into the brightness of the gym from the gloom of the school yard.

First thing I noticed was the dead silence in my guardians. As the young girl, pale and short, walked into the light I noticed a deep similarity between someone painfully close to us all; not in appearance, but certainly in the aura of strength and resolve she held in the way she stood and walked.

She was unnaturally pale, and she walked with a hidden strength buried in nervousness and fear. Her hair was an unusual hue of indigo and was dressed up to hide its true length. She was painfully skinny, and I wince as she moved and revealed a stomach somewhat sunken into her hips. Her clear, pretty purple eyes were round and soft, or at least the visible one was, the other was hidden under a stiff, black eye patch tied to her face with thin stings.

Suddenly I felt killing intent to my right, and I watched unease and terror flash through Takeshi and Hayato, both of them looking on edge at the girl's appearance; Hayato's metaphorical hackles raised in protest and Takeshi's smile dropped into a controlled glare. I was floored, as were my guardians.

"Who is she, to cause even Takeshi to become so cold?" Asari's voice was almost in pain as he spoke that, because she was a child; how could she threaten such strong boys?

"I bet he's possessing her! It's his most nefarious ability!"

I could not argue with Hayato. From what I had heard from whispers of this 'Rokudo Mukuro' I wouldn't put it past the boy to possess such a fragile, sweet girl. Or for her to agree to be possessed by such a charismatic, violent boy.

But I also do not know the boy, I don't know if he has even had any contact with this child. For all I know the similarities that are shocking Tsunayoshi's chosen guardians are coincidental.

"Hn, the children are quick to judge." Alaude huffed at my side. He did not look impressed by the prey-tactics shown in the children's actions. He liked predators, strong and free-minded men and women who could think for themselves.

So far only Hayato and Tsunayoshi had truly shown such fore thinking. The rest wither followed or could not see outside the box.
"Possession… that's a devils trade." Knuckle hummed, he understood that the trade of a bible demon was not the same in the living world. "To be so young and achieving this skill, do you think he was forced?"

"I don't know much about the boy they talk about, Knuckle." I answered honestly, "Only from what you and the others have managed to gather."
"Maa, so let's not be quick to judge." Asari came up on my left and squeezed my shoulder, smiling and washing the unease away. "This Rokudo-kun may not even the guardian."

"She's not Mukuro." Tsunayoshi explained, his eyes staring at her in slight confusion.

She was not Rokudo, but she caused Tsunayoshi's intuition to buck in the same way. I could read the confusion on Tsunayoshi's face. It was rather amusing.

"You're sure?" It was saddening to think for all Hayato's loyalty he second guessed his boss. It was also a good sigh; he wasn't blindly following Tsunayoshi, he could help my child grow.

"At least that bomb has some kind of a head on his shoulders." G scoffed.

"They are boys, G. They will learn." Asari almost chuckled.

"Thank you, boss." The girl smiled sweetly, a shy expression on her face as she kissed her boss.

I had seen it before in a few of my younger subordinates. She was used to being used and insulted; she didn't shake nor falter under the storm's harsh retaliation. I imagine she's had it all before. I was also very glad that Tsunayoshi was able to calm his guardians and settle the young girl's nerves.

I wasn't happy that this delicate girl was being used as a guardian; but these are not my guardians so I have no say.

My guardians, I could see them begin to shift in anticipation, and again I was surprised by their appearance at the mist battle. Never before in all our centuries of watching had they appeared to watch this particular succession. Yet, here they all were.

The girl looked like Elena, it was painfully clear that she was similar; in appearance and spirit. She held that strength to her, that quiet, nervous strength that would bloom as she aged if she had a strong, compassionate boss like Tsunayoshi. The way she moved was graceful and spoke of what she could become; a beautiful woman of might and stability.

So it was even more of a wonder to me why my guardians started to unconsciously shift in anticipation, whispering about potential. If this was Elena's embodiment in Decimo's era then surely she would cause the opposite reaction; after all, Elena was our dear friend and her death still haunts us. Especially since her soul was unable to dwell with us in the rings.

"Seems like she's a special one...we could sell her for quite the profit."

Mammon's whispers were expected. It was disgusting, and I saw Alaude twitch uncomfortably at the mention of human trafficking; but it was expected. Mammon was not like my candidate and Xanxus even less so. They were conditioned into the Mafia, meaning they held little care for weaker human life. Drugs, humans, and firearms; it was the Mafia's trade.

"Disgusting excuse for the strong." Alaude spat.

"Boss...do you see me qualified to be your guardian?"

She was more nervous facing him now, knowing that he had the final verdict. She was not strong, she knew that, and I thought her very strong for being able to admit that.

"What a sweet girl," Knuckle smiled, watching her shift uncomfortably.

"Hn, if she can back up her words that's all that matter." Alaude came off as cold, but I could see him itching. In the past such a girl would be protected, not allowed to charge into the fray that her protector could not save her from.

Tsuna couldn't afford to lose another ring.

"...do your best Chrome"

He may not have seemed confident in the girl. I could see his honour jumping uncomfortably at the thought of letting a girl he didn't know –wasn't sure could defend herself –fight for him. I didn't know at the time, but when I later learnt that Tsunayoshi had accepted her, even with the stigma of her being his useless father's choice of a guardian I was so proud of Tsunayoshi; he followed his heart and didn't let blinding prejudices stop him.

He was becoming a clear, harmonious sky before my eyes. It was thrilling and I couldn't help the deep swell of pride in my chest as a grin spread on my face.

But Tsunayoshi could feel –even if he didn't know this was the case –their flames harmonise. A sky flame missing some elements knows what it needs; usually better than its wielder does.

The mist, it's one of the less straight forward positions in the guardians I think.

"Creating something from nothing, and nothing from something. Thereby bewildering the enemy, to render the Famiglia's true from intangible with visions of deceit."

Even if I whispered it to myself I watched G and Alaude look over at me with eyebrows raised. Asari was watching the girl's battle with a frown, and Knuckle was doing the same. Lampo drifted by, uninterested, though he never faced his back to the battle once.

I could tell that Xanxus was impressed as the girl fought on, attacking with fire and ice, clashing mind versus mind in the most complex fight of instinct and skill. Xanxus was impressed with Chrome, not having a female in his own group. He was not sexist in the least, but all the women he had ever tried to recruit had failed to live up to Varia standard, Chrome seemed to be making him change his mind. Xanxus also knew that female illusionists were much harder to come by than male ones, simply because they took longer to train, even if they were stronger in the end. Xanxus had faith in Mammon but he was losing to a young female who looked frail enough to snap.

Not that illusionists were particularly known for their physical strength anyway.

Suddenly she staggered, her illusion shattered and her mind touched by the Arcobaleno. I saw the girl's reality crumble, even if it was minute; but that was all it took.

The trident in her hands shattered around her, raining over her in a shower of glittering, black and silver shards. I sighed, because it was unfortunate that she lost her weapon, but it wasn't the end of the world; or at least I thought so.

Suddenly Chrome was on the floor, breathing ragged and sweat started to form along ever visible part of skin.

"What is-"
"Her stomach, dear fucking God …it's collapsing." I watched Knuckle become pale as he watched, not even yelling at G for taking the Lord's name in vain.

"She doesn't have any…" He mumbled in disbelief, clutching the rosary in his hand, "She doesn't have any internal organs."

I was about to ask again, making sure I had heard my sun, and our resident healer, if I had heard right, but the girl's pained, sweet voice drifted closer first. "Master Mukuro... I wanted to help you."

I watched the girl tear up, wasting away on the floor of the gym. It was painful and I looked away.

This was my fault in the end.

"You did well, my precious Chrome. Now, rest for a bit." The words weren't spoken, but neither were they imaginary; it was as if the smooth voice had infected our minds, and was everywhere all at once.

I felt more that witnessed my heir shudder. It was violent and familiar to me; but I know it must have terrified my descendent.

Hyper intuition was the first, last and only warning to a life-threat. It was a mix of every instinct and reflex rolled into a violent attack on mind and body. I doubt Tsunayoshi has witnessed it too many times, it took me years to get over, and watching Tsuna shudder with paling skin and widening eyes I wondered how long it would take him to be used to it. As his pupils narrowed to near pinpricks I winced; it was a rather violent reaction.

A mirroring shiver assaulted my spine, but it was far less violent and much more familiar, as I observed Decimo grip his hair. I didn't turn, and I didn't startle. I knew who was coming with the same hyper intuition I had passed onto Tsunayoshi. It was a godsend and a curse to bear such foresight.

"It's been a long time, Daemon."

"Nufufufufu," The cunning sound grated my ears as it appeared on my left, closer than comfortable. "Good evening, Giotto, and here I thought you had forgotten me. It has been a long time."

I took on a smooth smile at the appearance of my guardian, though my other friend's drew to my side, disquieted, making them seem a lot less calm than they were.

"He's almost here! Rokudo Mukuro."

As Daemon appeared at my side, the lovely lady in the centre of the ring changed too, changing form entirely to mirror a man I had heard about in whispers of Decimo's subconscious; Mukuro Rokudo.

"You're getting bold...you Mafioso."

He was frowning, looking out over his crew and his sky. His eyes locked with Xanxus' for a moment and I saw him startle –not from fear or unease I observed –before they slid back around to his sky.

He smirked then, as if pleased to see the teen watching him so strongly. I would have said that Mukuro was pleased to know that Tsunayoshi still had that eerie ability to sense him; as if pleased that he was still a threat to Tsunayoshi even after their long separation.

"It's been a while. Now I'm back from the far reaches of the cycle of rebirth."

Mukuro was strong, stronger than I ever imagined. Sure the guardians and even Tsunayoshi's tutor had been whispering in unease about this teenage boy. But why would I believe them when they had all proven to be exaggerators of every kind. It seemed though, as the man wiped the floor with the Varia guardians that they were all right, and Mukuro had more potential to come.

Mukuro shattered another illusion, laughing as if he were in a game.

"At least one guardian seems to be having no trouble," G scoffed, watching with crossed arms and a bored expression on his face.

"I am confused, where did he learn such skills?" Asari hummed, his hands touching the swords at his hip in contemplation.

"He's terrifying." Lampo was quiet, at my right, trying to look away, yet watching anyway.

I saw it again, in my guardians who had arrived, that strangely giddy joy in having a Daemon look-a-like in the ring for Decimo. It unnerved me, sent my head spinning. Of course I knew they were not happy because he looked like Daemon, but instead because he acted more brutal; he was mafia. He was everything the Vongola would need to survive in the mafia. It scared me to think that my guardians wanted such a future for our famiglia.

Had my family fallen so far?

Had they forgotten what this man had done?
I was lost in my thoughts again as I had been during young Takeshi's battle, and I ignored the skill of illusionary arts that Mukuro was showing and allowed myself to reeled away from the mafia for a moment. I was so lost to the world that I didn't even care when my intuition flashed and sparked at me to pay attention.

As the battle raged and I was left watching and wondering about my guardians, I felt Tsunayoshi's flames spike and fall in uncomfortably bounces. My head, in reflection, started to sting, and by the time I looked over to him he was on his knees, being pulled into the memories of his mist, and I too along with it.

I saw the land around us burn and waste away as snow drifted around. Three children were knelt in the cold filth, covered in bandages and wounds that could not have been self-inflicted; they were too precise, too clean, too well stitched.

These children had been experimented on.

These children had been abusedfor the mafia's gain!

They were covered with blood that was not their own, and they were weakened from whatever hell they had just stepped through.

I watched Mukuro pause and the boys following him stumble to a similar stop. My seething was halted, my brain supplying or me that these words were important; I needed to hear them.

"From here you'll only get in my way. So take off, I'll manage better by myself."

My eyes widened, and I saw Tsuna's consciousness mimic my action as we watched this selfish, violent man act for someone else. We watched, floored by the kindness and cruelty in this boy; only a child at the time. He was saving the two boys who followed him –who I imagine would follow him anywhere –at the cost of his own freedom.

Vindicare arrived, all black cloaks and faulted morals. And suddenly nothing was coherent.

Years flashed before my eyes as I watched through Tsunayoshi everything that bonded this mist to this sky. We watched as Mukuro escaped Vindicare and fought for the freedom of both himself and his friends; how later he would fight for Chrome too.

Then we were faced with Young Lion and I inwardly raged a little, because the man tried to give his son the best, he truly did; but he was faulted in an unforgivable way. He stood before Mukuro as I do now, not his physical body but the possessed body of the mirroring female he saved.

He offered Chrome and Mukuro a temporary reprisal; a pardon so long as Tsunayoshi wanted them by his side. It didn't grant Mukuro his physical freedom, but it granted Chrome hope for a cure to her frail body, and granted Mukuro hope for the safety he longed for all his life.

"Mukuro...you accepted?" Tsunayoshi's thoughts, for once, was much clearer there in that strange mindscape he and …his mist shared. It was strange and uncomfortable; I felt like I was overstepping some boundaries. It was as if I was violating both Tsunayoshi and Mukuro, and in turn Chrome too.

But I smiled as I watched the world around us fade away and the battle become the focus again; Tsunayoshi was seeing Mukuro for what he really was, maybe that didn't forgive Mukuro for all he had done to Tsuna, for in that mindscape I was able to see Tsunayoshi's past with this criminal, but seeing Mukuro's past and feeling his emotions did help clear away the fear and unease that Tsunayoshi felt whenever the boy was near.

But I saw what Tsuna and my guardians could not see; what differentiated this boy, Mukuro, and his partner from Daemon.

I saw true concern for the members of his famiglia.

Those boys, Ken and Chikusa, Mukuro did not have to save them from Estraneo. You could argue the semantics of 'precious' and 'subordinate' all you like, but it was more effort and risk to save them and keep them alive during all the years between the massacre and now. Chrome too was saved by Mukuro and though the girl was in poor health, so was her companions; Mukuro included. He was doing the best he could do while trapped in prison in their place. I simply hoped that he would see that my Tsunayoshi truly cared and would help them if he were given the chance to help.

I knew then that Tsunayoshi too had accepted Mukuro as other half of his mist.

"Giotto!"

I was aware of being shaken next, Knuckle checking me over with grim precision. The haze world I had been dragged into dropped off of my mind as I watched the battle again. I was mutely aware that Tsunayoshi's own guardians were fretting over their suddenly silent sky too.

How comforting.

"I am sorry to worry you so," I smiled gently at my dear friends; Daemon looked put out, and I imagine he saw exactly the same events as I, only pulled in by Mukuro instead of Tsunayoshi. "My descendent and I simply resonated for a moment."

Lampo sighed and I could see the relief weakening his knees; though he didn't show it much, "Yare yare, and here I thought you were finally getting old, Giotto."

"Isn't that awfully rare, Giotto." Asari frowned, looking at the weakened Tsunayoshi with concern and curiosity.

"That has never happened before." And coming from G's mouth that was more foreboding than Daemon's arrival.

"Nufufufufu, it seems like the convict is much stronger than we thought, so cruel." Daemon laughed, and everyone' eyes snapped back to the battle; a twisted curiosity in their eyes.

Mammon was struggling, his reality was shattering and he was unsteady on his feet. I could see it; panic.

"You know very well don't you? If I have broken your illusion I have broken into your mind."

I watched in grim fascination, and as I cast my eyes I around at my guardians I noticed the same. We watched the world twist and warp all around the Varia mist, and he I could see was panicked, choking his own mind as it was invaded by one so much more twisted and cruel than he; someone with a better handle on this warped reality.

"This is my world!"

It unnerved me the sheer thrill and insanity that oozed into those words, that Mukuro was so happy to torment and destroy the mind of his opponent did not bode well; his threats were obviously true. He wanted my heir's mind, wanted to shatter and taint it.

With Daemon laughing near hysterically in time with his candidate beside me made it even worse; made my stomach flip actually.

"You lost because I was your opponent."

Mammon seemed to explode and I had to look away even if I knew it was all an illusion. Such cruelty in a boy who has not yet reached manhood. It was sickening. It was wrong!

"Nufufuf. Oh, my." Daemon grinned, "Such raw power; certainly he is worthy."

"He's a child, Daemon!" I reprimanded my voice solidifying as I spoke to my guardian.

"He is also in the mafia, dear Giotto. Or did you forget what your precious family has become, hmm?"

I was floored at his words, and took a step back in stuttering confusion and grief; he knew how I hated what had become of everything I worked for. He knew. That is why Daemon hates me so, why he hates my 'boy' and looks on in wonder at Mukuro so.

Tsunayoshi is too much like me, with all that disgusting innocence that Daemon despises; wishes he still had himself. Innocence that reminds him so much of his beautiful Elena.

Mukuro is twisted and broken, destroyed and moulded by the Mafia both he and the younger boy despise. Insanity that neither Mukuro nor Daemon believed either Tsunayoshi or me could save them from.

"Shut your trap, bastard." G snapped, stepping in front of me to hide my flinches. "You're sick to speak of children like that."

"It saddens me to know you have not yet forgiven, Daemon." Knuckles soft voice had Daemon's hackles raised, undignified that a priest four years his junior would dare chastise him so.

As we argued quietly, in hushed voices we missed the announcement of the winner, but I caught Tsunayoshi, Xanxus, and Mukuro's interaction with intrigue.

"You didn't have to go so far!"

I was silently proud that Tsunayoshi actually spoke up, and that he believed what his guardian had done was wrong. I had worried that watching the illusionary man explode would leave Tsunayoshi traumatised; afraid of his own guardian.

"Maa, he sounds like you Giotto." Asari laughed at my side; I was almost disturbed that he could laugh so freely after watching such a grim illusion.
"Exactly like you when you decided I'm not allowed more dessert." Lampo frowned, but he was not looking at the battle, and I could see the green creep into his face as his flames settled uncomfortably. My lightning hadn't changed much since he was a young teen; for that I was glad.

If he was comparing Tsunayoshi to me than he obviously approved; Lampo openly approved of so few, after all.

"Even now you're showing so much sympathy to an enemy…just how naive can you be, Sawada Tsunayoshi?"

"I do not like to admit that that mist child is right, Giotto. But your candidate will meet an early grave if he isn't careful."

I stared at my cloud in worry, because he had never really addressed Tsunayoshi –or the other candidates –with so many words thus far. For him to speak now…

"I loathe agreeing with any of these fools either, but he is right. Your candidate is going to meet an unpleasant fate soon. Nufufufu."

As Xanxus gave his next order I winced and noticed the rest of my guardians go off on a tangent with each other, leaving only Daemon and I to watch the interactions below.

"You really are the dark side of the mafia, aren't you Xanxus. Even I would be awed at the despicable plan you've thought up."

"What plan?" I spoke aloud, confused and wary of this strange teen's words. He had seen things I would not see even in my afterlife; he could probably see things that even my own intuition was blind to.

"Nufufufu, dear Giotto you are naïve. To not see what this man is planning; you really have learnt nothing." Daemon looked positively beaming at whatever it was Xanxus was planning, and Mukuro was privy too; it solidified my thought that these two men, my one mist guardian and Tsunayoshi's, could see things with their strange illusionary power.

I was terrified to find out what could make my mist look so happy. To be happy at a man who to me, was going to destroy Vongola.

"Just one thing though….the other candidate though smaller, and weaker than you….is not really someone you should trifle with, for your own good."

I watched, my own eyes widening and jaw slackening as Mukuro addressed Xanxus with stiff finality. Assured without flaw that his sky would win this battle and would be the next boss.

"Did I witness that…?" Asari asked, jaw wide as he watched the boy, he knew as I did that the boy's emotions were not of trickery but of self-assurance and the closest thing to trust that the mist-boy could conjure.

"Che, seems the boy isn't so unworthy of being in our family as we thought." Because G was right, while before his cool threats and evil intentions made him unfavourable for Vongola it was obvious now that he was not so hard-hearted and instead was secretive of his true emotions. "He is still too damned violent though; he's your fucking doppelganger, Daemon."

"G, he is a child." Knuckle reprimanded, but I could see my friend shift uncomfortably under Daemon and G's potent gazes. He was a man of endless forgiveness, but even he was burnt by our friends' betrayal so long ago.

"He is a child that will fix this family; even if it is under the wreckage of his skies mind. He is strong enough to do it. Nufufufu."

All of a sudden I was overwhelmed by the need to defend my child; from my guardian and his own. I felt shivers of disgust and a gut-clenching fear tackle me to the torso. Daemon had just threatened my child; I didn't want to stand for it!

"Do not fall for his goad, you weak-hearted fool." Alaude hummed sternly beside my ear, glaring at Daemon, who was smirking at me, knowing I had taken the bait. "He isn't worth your breathe nor your concern anymore; pay attention to your descendent and these insufferable battles you make us attend."

Daemon just kept laughing, and I wanted so much to vouch for Tsunayoshi as my chosen heir and for Mukuro just out of pride. No way would my child's guardian do such a thing, I had faith that things would be different, that-

"I accepted this simply to be in a better position to possess you, Sawada Tsunayoshi."

"My point proved, Giotto. That tainted child will bring our family back; make it strong again! Nufufufufu!"

"He's lying." And again we resonated in a way that I don't think Tsunayoshi fully understands. It was unnerving and powerful, but for a moment out Intuition overlapped and told us the same thing. Rokudo Mukuro was not such a cold and heartless man; he wasn't as much of a threat to Tsunayoshi as he liked to say he was.

I smiled, obvious enough that even Daemon's cruel smile dropped slightly in confusion when he saw my candidate relax in that hidden realisation.

"In any case, thank you." I saw Mukuro startled then, because my Tsunayoshi was wholeheartedly honest in his gratitude; even as Mukuro sighed and allowed himself the rest he deserved I saw my candidate flail in an attempt to catch the girl that replaced him.

The end of the confrontation had me smiling.

No, this boy, Mukuro, was not what my guardians' thought; what Daemon thought. This boy was Daemon's embodiment in Decimo's generation. He is cruel and he is tainted; but he holds Tsunayoshi's ideals and virtues. They are hidden behind cruel smirks and belief of having a tainted soul, but they are there and Tsunayoshi realises them. This child- for he is an unfortunate child- is Daemon's equivalent of Tsunayoshi's Vongola. His friends, subordinated, pawns –be what they may –they are precious to him and he will protect them; he holds a deep, infallible loyalty. Rokudo Mukuro just does not know how to express that.

"Don't sympathise with him, remember what he did to you, Tsuna."

Regardless of the damned Arcobaleno's words I saw Tsunayoshi flinch in disgust. He had already accepted Mukuro, and he would never accept his tutor's words, or the idea that everyone feared Mukuro.

Tsunayoshi would change that opinion soon.

I'm actually a little disappointed in this chapter…especially since so many were looking forward to it… I might go back later and rewrite it, but right now I'm not completely happy with how it turned out. I'm sorry if you felt the same.

~~[Review corner]~~

Guest (Guest): I am glad you enjoyed this chapter too, I was looking forward to writing the rain battle the most I think, I hope you enjoyed this chapter just as much. Thank you so much for reviewing, and for your patience.

Guest (mar9893): I am so glad that you like my depiction of the battles. They weren't my favourite arc but I do enjoy re-reading them. I am really sorry that the updates are so few and far between, but finding all the quotes and trying to reorganize them so that Primo's thoughts and interactions fit between them really takes a lot of time. I promise to keep trying and I'll try my best to get the updates out quicker, but unfortunately I cannot promise anything. Thank you again for your support, and please continue to be patient with this authoress. Thank you for reviewing, don't forget to be awesome.

[To all those who reviewed thank you, if I didn't manage to get back to you I'm so sorry, things caught up with me and my email went on the fritz. Thank you for all your support, it means more than the world to me]

Thank you again for all your patience and support, I will try my best to keep updates regular, but I cannot guarantee it, I'm sorry for suddenly dropping off the radar; it wasn't planned and hopefully won't happen again…hopefully.

Thank you, thank you. Please leave a review.

Until next time, dear readers, don't forget to be awesome,

~~Bleach-ed-Na-tsu :3