I feel like I haven't written a chapter for this story in months, but it's only been about two weeks. Anyway, can you guys let me know if Kuroi is too much of a Mary-Sue. I never took that into account when I created her character. If she is too much of something please let me know. Btw, I'm loving all of the reviews! None of them are negative in any way! It makes me so happy! And just a heads up, now, I am not doing the Storm Battle. I am doing what happens during the battle with Hibari and what happens when he returns.

Anyway, I hope you guys will like this chapter. So without further ado, here is chapter eighteen! Read or bananas shall rain from the sky and Kuroi will murder them all!

I do not own any of Katekyo Hitman Reborn, all rights go to Akira Amano except for the characters and things I have created.

[3rd Person Limited: Kuroi]

Kuroi opened her eyes to reveal their golden color to the world presented before her. Blue sky acompanied with fluffy, white clouds and dark branches with leaves of variant shades of geen allowed small streams of sunlight to pass through lied in her field of vision as she laid on her back. She moved her arms around and felt a soft, yet sharp, sensation of grass. Confused by its touch and what remained nearly motionless in her sight, she sat up abruptly. Kuroi finally realized that she wasn't back in the Reception Room, but in a field of green, under a rather large tree.

*BAM WHAM CLANG*

Kuroi perked her head up a little, searching the area for the origin of the noise. It sounded as if it came from behind her. It also seemed to distinctly sound like that of an intense fight. She looked over toward the noise and found Dino training the demonic raven-haired.

Kuroi stood up and wandered over to the two brawlers, contemplating on how she got here. As she idly strode through the thick grass, Romario caught her attention. He was standing just a few yards away. She walked absenty-mindedly over toward him instead of heading over to her older guardian and the clumsy trainer.

"Good afternoon, Miss Kuroi," Romario greeted her with a smile.

"Where... Am I?" She asked him with her eyebrows raised in perplexity, "Er... Well.. Where are we?"

"We are just in the more country side of Namimori. Boss is training your friend there to adapt to any environment," He paraphrased with pride seeping through his words.

"But, how did I get here?" Kuroi pursued for an answer impatiently.

"Oh, well.. Your friends said that you were hurt pretty bad and passed out, so they took you to a hospital to get you fixed up. That's why you have those bandages there all over your body," He gestured to her arms, face and legs.

Kuroi observed herself and finally noticed all the bandages wrapped around her. She was wearing a loose, pale blue-tinted dress which went down passed her knees that the nurses probably put her in.

"What... Happened...?" She looked at her bandaged arms in horror.

"It's surprising and relieving that you survived. Not many people who are electrocuted at such a high voltage survive," Romario smiled sympatheticly.

"I was electrocuted..?"

"Yes. The Varia took a toll on you."

"I don't remember what happened last night..."

"Well, appearantly, the Battle for Thunder was ongoing and you entered the field to protect Lambo. Though, you were not allowed to. Lambo's opponent attacked you and as punishment for trespassing, the Cervello allowed the attacks on both you and Lambo to continue. That is, until Sawada Tsunayoshi interfered. He was able to save the both of you just in time before you would've reached death."

"But, how did I get here?"

Romario looked over at the other two who were still fighting, "Your, eh... Gaurdian over there didn't want you to be left alone in some place, to his definition, was.. Insecure. He didn't think it was safe enough for you, I believe. ... Haha, strange. I didn't think that kid would be concerned for anyone's wellbeing. I guess you're just special."

"Hibari brought me here?"

"Actually, I had someone bring you here. Those two are too busy training, and I couldn't leave Boss to get you, otherwise... It would be a mess. So, I asked one of the other Boss's subordinates to bring you here."

"Oh..." Kuroi was astonished that Hibari would go to such lengths to make sure she was safe. It was entirely unlike him.

She shifted her attention back over to Hibari. Her gaze was locked on him and she stared with intensity and shock.

Dino and Hibari paused for a moment. Feeling a familiar pair of eyes watching him, Hibari shifted his gaze over to Kuroi. She flinched and took a step back. Unsure as to why she moved, Kuroi looked down at her feet as if wondering if they had a mind of their own. Hibari on the other hand just smirked and looked back at Dino.

Kuroi walked back over to the tree she found herself under before. She gazed up the trunk of the tree and decided to investigate... By climbing it. Kuroi climbed to a high branch in the tree and watched the brawl from there. She sat back against the tree trunk and thought about the many things circling around in her mind: What was going through her mind last night? How did she survive? How was Lambo? Why is she really here? And most of all: what does Hibari really think of her? All these questions with confusing or no answers swooned in her head. It made her head hurt to the point where she started moaning in annoyance.

Kuroi looked away from the two training and set her sight upon the leaves and branches above her, trying to see the clouds through the thick greenery. She started dazing off into Wonderland, allowing time to pass by faster than it'd feel. Movement from her peripheral caught her attention. Dino and Hibari halted their attacks on one another and started walking over to Romario and Kuroi.

"I'm.. Just *pant pant*... Taking a *pant pant* ...short break," Dino seemed pretty exhausted. How long have they been training?

"Hn. Herbivore," Hibari insulted with distaste.

"Awe, c'mon, Kyouya!" Dino smiled, "I'm sure you're tired, as well!"

"..." Hibari didn't say anything and continued on toward the tree where Kuroi was hanging around in.

He sat down just below the high branch she was settled on. Hibari rose his arms and set them behind his head as a sort of support for his head while he leant up against the tree, closing his eyes to simulate sleep.

Kuroi hopped down to a lower branch to get closer. She continued climbing down. However one of the branches did not support her and, therefor, broke under her weight, letting her fall down to the ground.

*BAM*

Kuroi sat up and rubbed the back of head. She opened her eyes and found herself a little bit too close for comfort with the demon of Namimori. Kuroi felt off about the position she was in. It didn't feel like there was any grass under her. She looked off and down to the side and found that she fell on top of Hibari, much to her embarrassment. Kuroi slowly looked back at Hibari and took in his expression: it was a cold glare that did not seem to be inviting for anything friendly. He was not happy at all.

Embarrased, Kuroi was at a loss of words and couldn't look away from his icy glare.

"What are you doing, herbivore?" He asked with slight annoyance.

"... I-.. Um.. I.. Fell..." Kuroi didn't know what to say. She didn't want to say something that would totally set him off. It would make matters worse if she did, and Dino wouldn't have to much fun, either.

"Are you all right?" Bitterness complemented his scowl and harsh tone.

"Yes, but-... Wait- what?" Kuroi was confused as to why he would actually ask if she was fine. Thinking back on it, that was the first time he's ever been even the slightest curious or worried of her wellbeing. Strange...

"If you're fine, then get off," His eyes narrowed.

Kuroi flinched and hurriedly crawled off of him and sat with her side against the tree so that she faced away from Hibari. That way, he couldn't see her reddened face. She could feel his stare burn holes through her, but she didn't move a muscle.

She slowly turned back around to look at the raven-haired senior. He had his eyes closed again and didn't seem to acknowledge her anymore. Kuroi relaxed and turned her whole body around to face him. She leaned in closer to him and waved her hand in front of his face. He didn't move. Kuroi retracted her hand and assumed he was asleep. She looked up and saw a couple of leaves settled on top of Hibari's head. She reached up slowly to brush them off. When she was about to grab the leaves, a familiar voice froze her.

"What are you doing?"

Kuroi looked down and noticed Hibari glaring at her out of the corners of his eyes.

"Um... You have leaves in your.. Hair," Kuroi quickly grabbed the leaves and showed him, "See?"

Hibari stared at her and the leaves. He diverted his attention from her and with a grunt, he closed his eyes to go back to sleep. That is if he really was sleeping...

"Neh~ ... Hibari..?"

"Hn?" He grunted.

"I'm sorry for... Falling on you," Kuroi hesitated to speak.

Hibari opened his eyes and glanced at her.

"It's fine," He managed to say without moaning in annoyance.

"Did I hurt you?" She questioned with innocence.

"No," He sighed.

"Are you sure?" Kuroi asked again, being genuinely worried for him.

"Yes. I'm fine," He mumbled.

"... Are you-"

Hibari abruptly covered his hand over her mouth and stared her straight on in the eyes.

"Yes. I'm sure," His voice was more stern yet it still had a sense of calmness to it.

"S-Sorry..." Kuroi retracted herself away from the raven-haired staring intensly and threatening at her.

Hibari pulled back and sighed, leaning back up against the tree once again. Kuroi puy on a thoughtful face and tilted her head to the side a little.

[3rd Person Limited: Hibari]

Hibari took in a deep breath and sighed, letting out all of his frustration. He was getting pretty bored of fighting Dino and seemed more concerned about the school. He hadn't been there in so long, he needed to know if nothing happened to the school and if everything was still in order. The more he thought about the school, the more frustrated and worried he'd get.

*THUD*

Something heavy landed softly on his left thigh. Hibari opened his left eye and looked down. Kuroi was laying there, facing away from him. He thought about scolding her and shoving her off, but he was too exhausted and he didn't want her to start talking again. He just didn't want to mingle. Although, he really wasn't too keen on physical contact that was something other than fighting.

Too lazy to do anything about her, he didn't move and allowed her stay there. He looked her over and took note of all the bandages wrapped around her limbs and probably her body (any part under the dress). It reminded him of what happened to her: this time being electrocution. Hibari found that whenever she was not in his sight, she would end up hurting herself or putting herself in exceedingly dangerous situations, like back at Kokuyou Land.

If things continued like this, Hibari would fail his "assignment". This didn't suit him at all, and it made him even more frustrated than before. He did not want to fail. Though, it wasn't for Kuroi's sake, it was mainly for his own: he wishes to defeat Reborn in a brawl. Reborn, that baby, interested him and got his blood boiling for a fight. He needed to be successful in order to fight against him. So, caring for Kuroi maybe the only way to go.

However, there was a part of him that said otherwise. For some reason, he felt attached to her. Even if it was just hanging on by a thread, there was some sort of connection between himself and this odd girl. He had a need in the very back of his mind that told him to protect her out of instinct. It was too strange for him to comprehend. Every time he'd see her, he felt the need to feel relief or content. He didn't have an emotion of annoyance or hindrance as much as he use to. The only time he would feel a different emotion, is when he'd see her in a state of distress. Oddly enough to him, he would feel the need to protect or avenge. He would want those who wronged her to suffer his wrath.

All of this was too perplexing for Hibari to handle. All he knew for sure was that he wanted her close to him. He did not want her to leave his sight. He needed her to be close, and for more than one reason: One being that he'd have an easier time keeping track of her. Two, it would be easier on him keeping her safe so that he would be able to fight Reborn. Lastly... It felt instinctual to have her with him at all times, much to his surprise...

Hibari's head started to hurt. To relieve his stress, he decided that it was time to go back to the school to make sure things were in order. It was getting pretty dark, anyway, and it would take at least a few hours or more to get back to the school.

Hibari touched Kuroi's shoulder, "Get up. We're leaving."

"Hmm?" She looked at him dazed, "Why?"

"I'm tired," He stated with zero enthusiasm and with one hundred percent bluntness.

Kuroi got up lazily while Hibari got up more abrupt and imediatley headed off in the school's direction.

"O-Oi! Kyouya, where are you going!?" Dino stepped in front of him.

"I'm going back," Hibari said as he walked around him.

Kuroi on the other hand hadn't moved until she realized Hibari was going back to the school. She remembered that the battles were being held there. If he returns now while they are still in progress, he may not be too happy and things could turn for the worse.

As Hibari continued walking, he felt a tug at his sleeve. He stopped and looked back, noticing Kuroi holding him back so he couldn't leave.

"Let's go," He ushered her to move forward.

She seemed hesitant but reluctantly moved anyway. Kuroi wasn't the only one hesitant, though. Dino was still deciding on whether or not to follow.

Hibari continued walking with Kuroi lagging far behind. He noticed her lack of close presence and turned around. He waited for to catch up. When she did, she looked up at him and smiled nervously. Hibari narrowed his eyes.

"What?"

"Uh-um.. Nothing, hehe," Kuroi still seemed to act a bit nervous.

"Then, let's go," He strode past her.

"But, it's so far..." She whined.

Hibari stopped and sighed to himself.

"I don't want to walk that far.." Kuroi continued.

He turned around and walked back over to her, stopping dead center in front of the child.

He bent down close to her, "Let's go."

In one swift movement, Hibari picked her up over his shoulders and carried her down the field.

It was pretty late by the time they reached the school. It was probably past eleven at night.

"We're here."

"Huh, what?" Kuroi appeared to have fallen asleep on his shoulders after that extremely long walk.

Hibari sat her down on the ground and proceeded to walk inside. Upon entering, something felt off. The atmosphere was quite different. Suddenly, Hibari felt a threatening presence. He looked to the side and saw a tall man in all black charging at him with some sort of... Sword-shaped umbrella?

The man swung at Hibari, who then ducked and countered, leaving the man unconscious.

"All trespassers and violators of school rules will be bitten to death," Hibari stated firmly to no one in particular.

"Hibari...?"

Hibari shifted his gaze and fixated it on Kuroi. She seemed.. Concerned. Hibari narrowed his eyes, but not in annoyance.

"C'mon," He gestured for her to follow.

Kuroi walked up to him and held onto his shirt's sleeve. He looked at her through the corners of his eyes and proceeded down the hallway.

As they went down the hall, there were several more intruders. Whom of which all wore the same thing: black. Hibari would beat them senseless and carry on as if he'd only taken out the trash.

The two heard commotion coming from upstairs. It sounded as if there was where the most intruders were on only the third floor alone.

After they reached the third floor, they heard more voices. Some of them were particularly familiar.

Hibari knocked down his presumably last victim and entered the intersection of the hallway. To his right were the familiar, crowding herbivores. However, to his left were seven unfamilliar faces.

"Hibari-san!" Tsuna was relieved, yet horrified since he might get bitten to death.

Kuroi peered from behind his legs.

"Nah-! Sora-chan!? What're you doing here!?" Tsuna exclaimed.

Kuroi looked at him and then at Hibari. She stepped closer, moving to where she practically molded to Hibari's leg.

"VVVOOOIIIIIII! Isn't that the little brat you fried yesterday, Levi?" The white-haired sneered.

"Looks like you didn't do a very good job," The hooded baby added.

"What!? Shut up! I'll kill that little brat right now if I have to!" Levi started walking forward.

"Hn. So you're the one who attacked her?" Hibari rose a tonfa.

"She must've been with Hibari all this time instead of resting at the hospital," Gokudera deduced.

Hibari felt Kuroi's grip loosen. He glanced behind him for only a second and watched her run over to the bomb expert resting up against the wall.

"Are you all right, Hayato?" Kuroi sat on the ground next to him with concern written all over her face.

"Uh-... Y-Yeah.. I'm fine," He said sheepishly.

"Unlawfully breaking into the school and, moreover, vandalizing the premises, by reason of joint responsibility, everyone here will be bitten to death," Hibari held up his tonfas.

"What!? Us too!?" Gokudera was surprised.

As Levi continued moving forward, he spoke in a harsh tone, "So, you're the one who brought down all my subordinates."

"You are one of the ring-holders allied with Sawada Tsunayoshi's group? If so, this kind of behavior is..." The pink-haired women was not allowed to finish.

"Out of my way, Cervello. That bastard is just a common trespasser!" Levi took out two parabolas that summoned electricity and charged Hibari.

However, Hibari just side-stepped and tripped the brute, letting him fall flat on his face.

"Then I'll start with you."

Suddenly, Kuroi jumped onto Levi's back and started pulling his hair and punching him in the face.

While assaulting Levi, she screamed, "YOU STUPID, NO GOOD, IDIOT WITH A BRAIN THE SIZE OF AN ANT! YOU DUMBFOUNDED, KING OF DEFORMITIES! THIS IS WHAT YOU GET FOR HURTING LAMBO AND FOR TRYING TO KILL ME! YOU UGLY OGRE! YOU LOOK LIKE YOU GOT DUNKED IN ACID! YOU'RE SO UGLY, THAT PEOPLE PUT A PICTURE OF YOU IN THEIR CAR WINDOWS SO THAT THINGS WON'T GET STOLEN FROM IT! YOU'RE SO UGLY, PEOPLE WENT AS YOU FOR HALLOWEEN! YOU'RE SO UGLY, YOU MAKE BLIND CHILDREN CRY! YOU'RE SO UGLY, THAT YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE CONTAINED AN APOLOGY LETTER FROM A CONDOM FACTORY! YOU'RE SO UGLY THAT AFTER YOU WERE BORN, YOUR MOTHER SAID, 'WHAT A TREASURE!' AND YOUR FATHER SAID, 'YES, LET'S GO BURRY IT! YOU'RE SO UGLY THAT-"

"Okay, okay~~ I think you made your point, Kuroi-chan," Yamamoto sweat-dropped and picked her up off of Levi.

Everyone was surprised by Kuroi's sudden actions and her relentless insults.

"That stupid brat! I'll kill her!" Levi started to get up.

"You harm her, you'll answer to me," Hibari stepped in between the two.

"VVVOOOOIIIIII! So, how many times should I slash you open!?" The white-haired interjected.

"Hnn. Are you next?" Hibari's sadistic smirk stretched across his face.

"Please stop fighting. If Gaurdians enter into unregulated brawls, they will be disqualified," The pinks explained.

"Okay, okay. Calm down, Hibari. I know you're angry, but-" Yamamoto was interupted.

"You're in the way. Don't stand in front of me," Hibari swung at Yamamoto with his tonfas, but he was able to dodge and stop him.

"That long-hair is my opponent. Please be patient a little while longer," Yamamoto smiled sheepishly.

Hibari on the other hand was entirely unhappy, "If you're going to get in the way, I don't care who you are, I'll bite you to death."

"Stop it!"

Hibari blinked and noticed Kuroi intercepting him from reaching Yamamoto.

"Don't get in my way," Hibrai narrowed his eyes at her.

"No! I won't let you hurt my friends!" Kuroi was more serious than usual.

"She actually defied Hibari-san...!" Tsuna was in fear that anyone would be able to stand up to him like that.

"Get out of the way."

"No!"

"Move."

"No!"

Losing his patience, Hibari rose his tonfa to hit her.

"Hibari! Please don't, Hibari-dono! Hibari-san!" The group chorused.

Kuroi remained unfazed and prepared for the pain.

"Ciaossu, Hibari."

Hibari immediately halted his attack, "The baby? Sorry, but I'm busy at the moment."

"Although it's fine if you let loose here, you might lose an even greater chance to enjoy yourself," Reborn started to persuade him.

"A greater chance...?"

"It's not immediately possible, but if you bear with it now and participate in the battles for the rings, you might be able to fight Rokudo Mukuro again in the near-future."

Both Hibari and Kuroi froze at this. Hibari seemed pleased with the notion, but Kuroi was unhappy and unsettled about it. It worried her deeply.

"Hnn, really..." Hibari turned to face the pink-haired twins, "All the damage to the schools buildings must be repaired."

"Yes. We, the Cervello, will be responsible for that."

"Is that so..." Hibari thought about it for a second and then changed direction to start heading out, "I've changed my mind."

[3rd Person Limited: Kuroi]

Kuroi watched Hibari as he strode past her and Yamamoto. A sorrowful look plagued her expression. She was upset at the fact that he still wants to fight Mukuro, and she was confused by his previous actions: would Hibari actually strike her like that with a spiked weapon and not care...? She felt uneasy being around him now. It was unclear to her if he would ever do it again. But, what was more disconcerting, was the fact that she no longer understands her relationship with the raven-haired teen.

"Don't lose to the one over there before my turn comes around," He ordered Yamamoto, "See you."

"Hibari-san, he... Stopped fighting..." Tsuna said in confusion and awe.

"From this alone, you can see the depth of the humiliation Hibari feels he's suffered at Mukuro's hands. Though... I'm sure there's more to it than that..." Reborn explained as he observed Kuroi watching Hibari walk down the hall.

Hibari got halfway down the hallway before he turned to check to see if Kuroi was there. She was still planted in the same spot as he left her. He made a gesture for her to come. Abiding his order, Kuroi walked back down the hall, giving a goodbye glance at Tsuna and the others.

Hibari waited for her at the end of the staircase. When she finally caught up to him, he turned to her with a scowl.

"Don't ever defy me again, or I'll bite you to death. And next time, I won't hold back," He threatened.

Kuroi was unfazed by his threat and watched Hibari continue down the hallway toward the front entrance. Kuroi felt ashamed for disobeying him, but she knew she did the right thing.

Kuroi sighed and ran to catch up to him. When she did, she put on a smile and hooked her arms around one of his.

"You shouldn't attack those who wish to help you, let alone your friends," She grinned at him.

"I don't have, nor need, 'friends'," He claimed.

"I know. You're a lone wolf... However, you're not as alone as you might think you are. No matter what, in realty, you'll never be alone."

Hibari blinked in confusion and looked down at the small girl. Although he hated to admit it, deep down, he knew she was right... Though, he didn't like knowing that.

[END]

OMG IM SO SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING IN SO LONG! This chapter took me three days to finish! It normally only takes me one. I kept procrastinating and I apologize for that!

Anyway, leave a review and tell me your favorite part and (or) quote. Until next time I will see you in the next update!

POOF!