((Eh, so sorry for the late update x_x School has kept me busy :s Anyway, for this chapter I'm switching the viewpoint so instead of writing in third person it'll be all written through Shina-chan's perspective. It's really just something I'd like to try out to see if it's better compared to the third person one. Anyway, hope you enjoy :D ))

Chapter Six: Same Old

"Masayoshi-san, how's your arm? Are you sure you're alright?" I looked up, facing Tsuna who stared at me with a concerned expression and could only smile a little, nodding my head in a reassuring manner. Maybe it had been reckless for me to come here...After all I'm not fully healed up and even with Shamal's painkillers I can't be at a 100%... not to mention that fight we just head outside.

Tsuna still didn't look that convinced so I decided to change the subject. "More importantly, are you sure Yamamoto and Lanchia will be alright outside?"

"You should be more concerned about what will happen right now, Shinako." Reborn stated simply, only looking back slightly towards me before facing the dark hallway again. "Those two will be alright."

Now, I didn't know why I felt reassured by what a baby said, I don't even know why a baby is in this dangerous place to begin with, but Tsuna already told me not to worry about him as he could take care of himself. Um, fine. I'll believe that I guess...It's not like I have a choice.

I looked down towards the ground again. Somehow this place feels like a haunted house of sorts...I just keep wondering when a ghost will try to take over my body...Jesus, Hibari why the hell did you have to get dragged into a place like this?

"Masayoshi-san?"

"Yes?"

"Are you worried about Hibari-san?"

"Eh?" I hadn't even realized it but I was actually clutching his cell phone right now. "Of course not! But he is the Chairman of the Committee, and he and Kusakabe-kun are out so I have to take responsibility. That's just it. I'm not worried at all!"

Bianchi, meaning Gokudera's sister as I had recently learned, chuckled quietly to herself. "That's a suspiciously specific denial."

I huffed, looking away from her with a slight frown on my face "Well it was a specific question." I muttered under my breath, earning myself some more chuckling, not just from her but from Tsuna as well.

After a while we feel in silence once more. No matter how hard I pushed my ears the only sounds I could catch on to where our footsteps, which made me wonder if there really was anyone else in this place.

"This is it."

I couldn't have guessed how many minutes had passed since we had been silent but all I know is that we all suddenly stopped by Bianchi's words as she gestured towards a flight of...eh, not so intact stairs. "Mukuro must be one floor above us, but these stairs have been destroyed."

"He must be prepared to fight us then."

"Re-Reborn, what does that mean?"

Tsuna was nervous, that much was obvious but then again so was I. I was honestly scared, but who wouldn't be? Bloodthirsty people like Hibari don't count.

"They're reducing the number of entrances we can use to reach them, so that'll be easier to spot us and finish us off. Of course, it also leaves them with less places to run too."

Wow, for a baby he knew a lot about strategies didn't he? "Then, there must an intact flight of stairs right? We just have to find it then."

Jesus, I sound a lot more confident than I actually am... No, no point in thinking like this. I can't let myself become a burden right now. After all, I was the one that wanted to come, no one forced me, the decision was mine and now I'll definitely have to live up to it!

After a while of searching for an intact flight of stairs, Tsuna pointed out the stairway that we were looking for. The emergency stairs. But, as Reborn had predicted they weren't going to let us simply go up without a fight.

Yeah, you guessed it. That weird guy with the beanie and bar code tattooed on his face was there again.

I frowned once more, preparing my newly acquired Bo staff, courtesy of Reborn. This one was actually different from the last one...It felt heavier. As far as I could tell, this one wasn't as flexible as my old one but at the same time wouldn't break so easily so I was definitely thankful for that.

And reacting first than the rest of us, Gokudera covered the place in smoke giving us a chance to escape.

I had never seen him fight but Tsuna said he had ranked number three which meant he was strong and yet he too had been defeated. Just how strong could these guys get? Ugh, I swear it's ridiculous!

"Bianchi-san, you don't have to worry about Gokudera." I assured her as I too got into a more offensive stance "I'll stay here with him and we'll catch up in a moment."

"Ma-Masayoshi-san are you really sure about that?"

"You know, you can just call me Shinako." I had no idea why I said that but I did. It wasn't just out of distaste for my surname but, this guy has been concerned about my health ever since he saw me return from the hospital so as far as I'm concerned I'm willingly to see him as friend. "Will you let me call you Tsuna too?" I asked, donning a small smile.

Gokudera huffed "Oi woman, don't start treating the Jyuudaime on a first name basis just like that!" he protested "Besides, I can take care of this guy alone!"

"Gokudera, let Shinako help you out, two people have a better chance than one and it'll reassure Bianchi, right?"

Bianchi only nodded, whereas Tsuna sighed but then I think he smiled a little, though I couldn't be too sure because of the smoke and all. "Ok, be careful, Gokudera-kun, Shinako-san and yes, Tsuna is alright."

"Alright, then let's go before we lose the opportunity Gokudera gave us." Reborn warned as he, Bianchi and Tsuna went up the stairs.

Once they were gone I looked towards Gokudera "Let's do our best, alright?"

Gokudera scoffed "I can do this by my own, you can just stand there and watch me!" he said, yelling again. Jesus, does this guy ever stop yelling? Well, when he talks to Tsuna doesn't count. "You heard Reborn-san, we need to work as team right now!"

Why must I always get stuck with such proud, individualistic men?

He seemed to frown before groaning lightly "Whatever, just don't you dare hold me back!" I nodded and let a small smile slip, though that was quickly hidden. "Listen up, when you're up against this guy you have to be quick otherwise it's over." He told me reaching for his dynamite. Eh, for someone who didn't want any help he was actually being...well, helpful. "He attacks with yo-yo's that are not only fast but shoot needless with poison so be careful about those."

I nodded, ignore how unbelievably ridiculous the idea of poisoned yo-yo's was. "Then it'll be hard reaching him with my weapon." I ended up saying. The ranges we fought at were completely different. I fought at short range and beanie guy to medium-long range. Indeed, someone like me would have a hard time getting close.

Gokudera on the other hand didn't seem that concerned. "Eh, I guess that's why it comes in handy that it's two of us. I'll use my bombs to strike and cause a distraction and you—"

"Use that chance to get close and do the final hit." I completed, feeling more pumped up about all of this. It was a good strategy, now all we had to do was make it work.

"Great, you got it, now let's move out!"

Eh, I'm usually bossed around by Hibari and now it's this guy, can't I ever catch a break? Well, I suppose there's nothing I can do about it, it's best to just go along with it.

And with that both me and Gokudera darted towards a different hallway. "Get into place!" he told me, causing yet another frown to appear. "You don't have to tell me that, I know." I increased my pace, going ahead of him and picked out a good location from where I could stay hidden, while at the same time making sure I wasn't within the range of the yo-yo's.

I heard the first explosion and tensed. It sounded close. That same explosion was followed by the sound of Gokudera's running towards the place where I was and then more explosions followed. "Oi woman!"

I take it that's my line. As I stood back in the hallway I caught sight of the explosives by the beanie guy's feet. "Don't get caught up in the blast!"

"Will you stop saying such obvious things?"

I asked, yet didn't wait for an answer. I just dashed forward and I have to say that as grading as Gokudera can be he sure came up with a great strategy and we did work well together. The timing was perfect. The bombs went off but sure enough that guy was strong enough to stand back up again, yet, in his current condition and the fact that he was caught off guard, allowed me to strike him dead-on the stomach knocking him down to his knees.

I guess, I can understand why Hibari likes fighting so much. After landing the final hit on someone who was responsible for putting me in the hospital I actually felt...good.

"Gokudera, we did it!" I exclaimed and was about ready to suggest that we caught up to Tsuna and the rest when I saw him leaning against the window. Growing concerned I approached him "Gokudera, what's wrong?" I frowned, putting a hand to his shoulder and shacking him lightly.

Shit. These must be the side effects Bianchi was talking about before. "Just relax, we have time we can wait until you feel better before going on." I could tell he was about ready to say I was crazy if I thought something like this was going to keep him from meeting up with the 'Jyuudaime', but whatever these side-effects were they were taking it's tool on him. "There's no point in getting worked up, it'll just do you worse!" I added, trying to reason with the guy whom I suspected was a very hard thing to do.

Again he was trying to argue with me "Don't be stupid thi—"

He was cut off. Not by me or the damned side effects.

"You were wide open!"

My eyes went wide as I saw the freak Yamamoto had already fought literally jumping through the window and digging his claw-like nails into Gokudera's chest. He stumbled forward and I caught him before he could fall. "Hang in there Gokudera!"

"Eh? Number six is that you?"

I immediately tensed once I heard him address me. It...it just sounded so much like last time...

And what's worse is that even after his fight with Yamamoto he didn't seem like he had any injuries at all. This was bad, definitely bad. Before I knew it Gokudera had pushed me aside, as he tried to stand on his own, one hand holding his chest. "Don't be stupid, you're in no condition to fight!"

Why do these people not think?

"Shut up, damned woman..." he mumbled, yet started staggering backwards at which point I noticed the staircase. "Gokudera!" I tried to grab him by the arm to keep him from falling backwards but instead, I was grabbed by my ponytail by that Ken guy or whatever his name was. "Tché how uncool." He remarked as he watched Gokudera fall down the stairs, much to my horror.

But despite that I couldn't just stand there anymore so I used my Bo-staff to nail Ken in the side, which worked and I actually managed to break free from his grasp. I took a couple of steps back and was about ready to run after Gokudera when something caught my ankle.

I looked down, knowing full well that it couldn't be Ken since he was still standing up and cursing like mad and then I saw it.

Yo-yos.

Looking behind me I saw the beanie guy already standing up and at that moment my face fell. What were this people?

He gave a tug and that one tug immediately made me lose my balance but luckily I still didn't fall down the stairs. "Eh, so you got a new weapon. No big deal, I'll break that one too!" Ken exclaimed, walking towards me. "Kakipi, stand aside, I'll finish her off and then I'm going after that other guy." He said, causing 'Kakipi' to shrug his shoulders and pull back his yo-yo.

Of course, once he released it I was back on my feet and only then did I notice I had lost my ponytail and my hair was hanging down to his full length. Perfect.

My odds were not good. I was alone facing off against two guys who didn't seem like they were mortal at all and I couldn't even fight to my fullest. The universe loves me.

"Well, don't just stand there number six!" the animal freak yelled, charging towards me again. I was barely able to dodge but somehow I still pulled it off and aimed a hit with my Bo-staff. Said hit missed as it was only capable of cutting off a few strands of his hair. It did leave me wide open for attack though, as my legs were then swept from under me causing me to fall on my back.

"I don't know why you came here six, but you should have just stayed at the hospital."

Aw, perfect. He was drooling again.

"Hibari...where's Hibari?"

"Uh?"

"You heard me, where's the Committee chairman, the guy who's ranked number one!" I repeated looking up at him, whereas he laughed and stepped on my ankle causing to suddenly gasp from the pain. "Oh boy...probably dead, or so, I'd assume. What do you think Kakipi?"

Hibari? Dead? That was simply impossible.

The Bo-staff was kicked away from me and I was lifted to my feet again by Ken, who grabbed my collar and pushed me up. It seemed that he was about to say something when another voice echoed through the room.

"Beaten! Beaten!"

I looked to my side, only to see a bird. Yeah, a bird. I was shocked, but by now the fact that I was probably about to be beaten to a pulp all over again overcame that feeling.

But then, the bird managed to do something that impressed me even more. He actually started to sing, and not just any song.

"Midori tanabiku namimori, nodainaku shounaku nami ga ii"

Where did that bird learn that song?

"What? You're still trying to fight?"

I didn't have much time to think about that question because Ken was already dragging me down the stairs, followed by Kakipi or whatever. Gokudera was still moving and that made me feel relieved, though I wasn't exactly certain how long that relief was going to last. I saw Gokudera take out one of his dynamite sticks, already lit. I swear, if we live through this I'll have to ask him how he lights those.

"You're the only one who loves the school anthem so much..." I still managed to hear him mumble that before throwing the dynamite towards the wall behind him, where the bird had been flying close by.

Ken, of course, laughed at this. "Watcha aiming at?" He was laughing insanely loud which I'll admit, was starting to hurt my ears.

"Gokudera..." I murmured looking towards the broken wall to see why he had throw the dynamite that way.

Words simply cannot describe how happy I was when I finally saw through all the smoke and dust. "Hibari!" I probably sounded happier than I'd care to admit. The beanie guy, standing beside me, pushed up his glasses. " Namimori Middle School Disciplinary Committee Chairman, Hibari Kyoya." He spoke, as if introducing him to Ken who just scoffed.

"What, this guy is practically dead, defeating him won't be a problem at all!" he exclaimed, being the arrogant idiot I figured he was. But he was right, Hibari did look pretty beat. "Half-dead or not he'll still beat you, freak." I stated defiantly. "Huh? What was that six?"

"Ken, concentrate."

Um, apparently beanie guy is the brains of the duo.

"I could have gotten myself out, but this works too... Leave those two to me."

I heard Hibari talk and instantly any happiness that I might have felt from seeing him again turned to annoyance. Ah, always so grateful towards others. What a lovely ray of sunshine Hibari Kyoya is.

The bird landed on Hibari's shoulder and Ken made a note to point out Hibari had tamed him. Eh, I guess that's why he was singing the school anthem and props to Gokudera for figuring that one out.

"What's a half-dead guy like you talking about? Tché, I'll take you on then." Ken suddenly exclaimed and pushed me towards Kakipi, who caught me by the shoulders. "Take care of her while I'm gone." Were Ken's only words as he put on a...well a Lion's set of teeth and underwent another transformation. And yet, Hibari didn't seem distraught by this at all. He just smirked and even taunted the guy, picking up his tonfas as Ken charged towards him full speed ahead.

And then, it was made apparent to all of us why Hibari ranked number one. In one swift motion he not only nailed Ken right in the face but he also succeeded in sending the guy flying through the same window he had come through.

"Ken!" Kakipi exclaimed, loosening his grip on my shoulders, apparently shocked at what had just happened to his friend.

"I'll bite you to death next." Hibari said, the smirk not leaving his face. It was clear he was strong but he was also wobbling a bit which lead me to believe that he wasn't exactly fully recovered either.

Ken groaned but before he could do anything, I nailed him the stomach again with my elbow, pushing him away from me. Normally he would have fallen because of the impact but Hibari was kind enough to dash past me and hit him with his tonfas again, putting him through the same thing as he had with Ken.

Unbelievable...how did he get defeated in the first place?

Now that we were all out of foes he stood up a little straighter and for the first time his eyes fell on me. It actually startled me quite a bit to see him with that glare, staring straight into my eyes. "You..." he began, taking a step forward as his eyes only narrowed. I on the other hand only grew more anxious. Was he going to beat me up for having lost my fight or something like that?

"Who the hell are you?"

"...Eh?"

I searched his face for any indications that he might have been joking, but as predicted found none.

"Well?" he pressed, taking yet another step forward.

Unbelievable! I honestly can't believe that this idiot doesn't recognize me! Why? I can't be that changed! Is it because my hair is down? Ugh, I swear I risked my life to come and save his sorry ass and he can't recognize me? What kind of thank you is that?

He apparently grew tired of me not answering because his next move was to put his tonfa right next to my face. "Why are you wearing a Namimori uniform?"

"Hibari! It's me! Masayoshi Shinako!"

I definitely didn't want my head torn off, so I pulled up my hair into a ponytail again hoping that would prove to him who I was. It seemed to work and his expression actually seemed to soften for a moment, as he removed the tonfa from near me and let it hang by his side.

"Ah."

Ah? That's all you have to say? Try apologizing you insensitive moron!

I clenched my fist. Nope, this time I was going to let him have an earful. "Hibari I—"

"Why are you wearing the boy's uniform? You look ridiculous."

That bastard! I'm only like this because I was in such a hurry to get here!

"I woke up in the hospital and I heard what was going on so I came here to—"

I cut myself off this time. What was I going to say? That I came here to take responsibility for the attacks on the DC? That I came here to save him when in reality me and Gokudera where the ones that ended up being saved?

Might as well be quiet.

I simply lowered my head, refusing to meet with his gaze.

I heard him sigh though, "I see." Were his only words before his eyes fell back onto Gokudera and then returned to me. "Sit down, you look like you're about to fall over." He said, in an almost scolding manner and as much as I'd hate to admit it I did need to sit down.

"Oi Hibari, if you're done being a jerk I have something I was asked to give you." Gokudera spoke up, as he tried to sit down, using the wall as support to lean his back against. He then threw a bag towards Hibari who caught it with one hand. "What's this?"

"Medicine. For the sakura-kura."

Sakura-kura? I didn't understand, but Hibari sure as hell did judging by the way he was looking at bag. He was quick to open it too and take the contents. He tossed the bag back to Gokudera, who had forced himself to stand again, and closed his eyes as if in deep thought.

"It seems I'm indebted now." He ended up saying as if that was actually painful and walked over to Gokudera looping his arm over his own shoulder and giving him support. I was shocked actually and it probably showed in my face too. "Masayoshi, stand up."

"Eh? Ye-Yeah." I stammered as I came back to my feet, though I too had to lean on the wall because of the pain in my ankle. I actually looked down towards it to check on it and when I looked back up Hibari was already standing in front of me.

"What is it Hibari?" I questioned, not really sure what his problem was right now.

"Are you dumb?"

"I'm not! I just don't understand why you're just standing there!" I protested. Hibari on the other hand responded by getting down on one knee and looping his free arm around my legs before lifting me up and throwing me over his shoulder like I was some sort of bag of potatoes.

"Hi-Hi-Hibari! What are you doing?" I could feel the blood rising to my head, though I chose to think this was because I was upside-down and not because I was actually blushing. "I told you, I'm indebted." He stated simply and started to go up the stairs. "And once we return to Namimori, I'll bite you to death. Girls wearing boy's uniform is against school rules."