So sorry for such late update. I've been so busy with school lately and I absolutely hate it! I wish that I could just come up with a chapter in under a minute... That would be a miracle. Anyway, I believe I left off with Kuroi and Hibari leaving the aftermath of the Storm Battle. So, next is obviously the Rain Battle. Yyyaaayyyy. If my writing skills seem to be lacking and they're more errors than usual, it's because I'm exhausted... I can tell you right now, I have nothing planned for the chapter because we all know that Hibari hangs out on the roof this whole time during this next battle. So... I'm gonna improvise and come up with something random as I go through the chapter. Be prepared.

Here is chapter nineteen after about twenty days of putting it off... I hope you enjoy.

I do not own any of Katekyo Hitman Reborn. All rights go to Akira Amano except for the characters and things I've created.

[3rd Person Limited: Kuroi]

Last night was a bit hectic and troublesome for both Kuroi and Hibari. Kuroi still felt a bit hesitant to talk to him considering her rebellious act last night. She still remained with her guilt for disobeying, so she felt the necessity to make it up to him. Although she did hint to him that she considered herself close to him, she wasn't too sure if he got the message or not. In a way, she could sense the fact that their relationship was a bit off that night; it was fine, and then it dropped, only to rise back up again.

Kuroi wondered the halls of Namimori Chuu~- Hibari's kingdom she calls it- and questioned herself on what she should do to make up for her past actions.

Wandering around for what seemed like hours was merely minutes, she eventually ran into the very person she was thinking about.

"What are you doing, Herbivore?" A scowl panned across his face.

Hiding her previous attitude, she spoke with a smile to her superior, "Neh~ Hibari? Can I call you something else besides your name?"

"Hmm...? What are you talking about?" Hibari eyed her with contemptuous eyes.

"Nevermind," she sang and took a few steps away from him, back down from which she came," ... Onii-chan!"

"Hn?" He turned sharply at her, prompting Kuroi to dart down the hall.

When she was out of sight, Hibari "tch-ed" and continued walking down the corridors of which he patrolled.

Kuroi ran down the halls-laughing as she did so- all the way to the Reception Room. When she opened the door, she thought she'd lost him and triumphantly jumped onto the couch to lay down. However, when she landed, she knew this was no couch and instantly stopped smiling and went wide-eyed.

"Get off."

A voice from under her was heard, causing her to jump quickly.

"But- weren't you..- you were just...- but how could..-" Kuroi babbled in confusion, "How did you get here before me?"

"You're slow."

Kuroi walked back over slowly toward the once sleeping demon that was now presently awake.

"If you jump on me again, herbivore, I will bite you to death," Hibari threatened with narrowed eyes.

Kuroi was trying to suppress a smile, but couldn't help it.

"Also, don't ever call me that again," He continued his threat, "I am not related to you in any way, so it is unnecessary and improper."

"Fine," She pouted.

There was a long silence consisting of Hibari staring her down. Feeling uncomfortable, Kuroi fidgeting in the very spot she stood.

Becoming entirely uncomfortable, she looked at him with perspiration dripping down her face and yelled, "What!?"

"... What're you wearing?" He questioned her with narrowed eyes and distaste.

Kuroi looked down at her outfit: a rather large, white dress-shirt that was obviously way to big for her. The sleeves went down past her finger tips and the collar was unkept (due to her frantic running) and stuck up a little bit past the earlobes of her ears. She had denim shorts on underneath, which was hidden under the shirt, and black dress shoes. (Kuroi wasn't really ever one for good fashion sense...)

Kuroi looked back up to Hibari with a confused expression, "What's wrong with it?"

"... That is mine, isn't it?" He pointed at her chest.

Kuroi looked around nervously, "Wwhhhhaaaatttt? I don't know what you're talking about?"

"That is my shirt, isn't it?" He repeated.

"... Maybe..." Kuroi said with shifty eyes.

Hibari narrowed his eyes to near slits (if that were possible considering how narrowed they already were) and leaned in a tad closer to her, "Why are you wearing my clothes?"

"Weeeelllll..." She looked away from him.

"Answer me," He leaned in more.

Under much pressure, Kuroi finally gave in and slumped to the ground, waving her arms around while flapping the long sleeves everywhere, "I'm sorry! But, it's so sooofft! The material is just so sooooofft!"

"You have your own clothes. Don't wear mine, or I will bite you to death."

With that said, Hibari laid back down on the couch and drifted off to sleep yet again. Kuroi remained on the floor with her eyes locked on him. She wasn't sure if she should say something or just remain sitting there the whole time. She crawled over to Hibari and slowly rose her hand in front of his face.

"What are you doing?" Hibari asked without even opening his eyes to see what she was doing.

Kuroi shot back her hand and looked around as if nothing happened.

"I don't know what you're talking about," She obviously lied.

"Can't you just go to sleep, or at least be quiet and not disturb me?" He questioned with an annoyed tone hinted in his voice.

Abiding by his question, though it seemed to be more of a statement, Kuroi got up and sat down on the other couch and remained absolutely quiet for the rest of the day. Though, there were few occasions where she'd make noise. But for the most part, she was more silent than usual.

[3rd Person Limited: Hibari]

It was getting closer to sundown when Hibari finally decided to get up. When he got up, he stretched, and yawned and looked over across the room to see a small, frail girl curled up in a ball, sleeping on the other couch. Hibari stood up and walked over to her. Looking over her, he noticed that Kuroi seemed to be very tense, though he didn't know why nor did he really care. He acknowledged it, sure, but it wasn't something that would alarm him.

Ignoring her state, he leaned down and placed a hand firmly on her small shoulder.

"Get up," He commanded her with little to no emotion.

Waking up abruptly, Kuroi flung her body upright. Because she got up too fast, she didn't notice Hibari looming over her, so she ended up knocking heads with him. Unfased by her headbutt, Hibari dismissed the slight pain and blinked at her.

"Ooooowwwwww... That hurt..." She whined in pain.

Ignoring her cries of agony, Hibari sighed slightly and repeated himself, "Get up. Let's go."

"Huh? Where?" Kuroi was perplexed as to why he wanted her to get up so suddenly.

"The roof," He answered as bluntly as possible.

"Why are we going to the roof?" Kuroi slowly stood up from the couch. She still felt a bit dizzy from the head bashing with Hibari. It was bad enough to where she was not able to walk in a straight line.

Being impatient as he is, Hibari took her by the arm and basically dragged her all the way up to the roof. Although, he wanted to be completely rough with her and literally drag her up the stairs to the third floor and up more stairs to the roof, Hibari had the feeling to not do that and to be somewhat gentle with her. It's as if he had a maternal instinct to keep her out of trouble and unharmed. Or in his case, not as harmed.

When Hibari finally opened the door to the roof, it was pitch black outside with the exception of the school's emergency lights lighting few areas. He pushed her out onto the roof. Since she was still dizzy, Kuroi spun around a bit before falling.

"Stop.. Making the world spin... Oni-bari!" Kuroi spat out with her eyes spinning.

"'Oni-bari'? What's with that...?" Hibari questioned feeling entirely insulted.

"Well.. You're the.. School demon..." She managed to say while trying to process her thoughts.

"Hn? Is that so? Well, if you say that again, I will bite you to death, Herbivore," he leaned in over Kuroi, covering her in his shadow so that the moonlight could not touch her, "I despise those who insult me. Do you understand?"

"Heheheh.. Y-yes!" Kuroi couldn't help but laugh.

Becoming rather badgered by her behavior, Hibari sighed and walked over to a water tower. Gazing upon its size and height, he decided to go ahead and climb it, thinking that it may be a nice relaxation spot.

"H-Hibari...! What are you doing!?" Kuroi shouted in confusion.

Hibari didn't answer. Instead, he just kept on climbing until he reached the top. Hibari sat on top of the water tank and allowed the cool breeze to brush against his pale skin. Content on finally having peace and quiet, he felt that he was still missing something. Of what, he didn't know.

Hibari glanced down at Kuroi and noticed her sullen expression. He watched her walk over to the railing of the fence and gaze out over the distance. Tilting his head to the side out of annoyance and minimal curiosity, he decided to only pry a little.

"Yoh, Herbivore..." at the sound of his voice, Kuroi turned and looked at him out of the corners of her eyes, "Your pathetic behavior is troublesome. If your weak behavior continues, it'll infuriate me."

"... What's that supposed to mean?" She had an extremely confused expression, "I'm not that weak!"

"Hn? Is that so? Then, prove it," Hibari grinned with malice.

"Huh? Um... But, how?" Kuroi was utterly discombobulated, "How am I supposed to prove I'm strong to you? You think everything is weaker than you! Of course I'm weaker than you because of my age. I can only do so much and you have more experience, so how do I prove that I'm not weak!?"

"Oh? So you're already admitting defeat?" He smirked maliciously, "Only weak herbivores would submit to defeat so quickly."

"I am not a weak herbivore!" Kuroi stomped a foot as she spoke, "I'll prove it! I am NOT a weak herbivore! I'll make you eat those words!"

Hibari watched her as she tried to climb the water tower with little success. He thought of it as amusing as he watched such a frail, small, weak girl climb up to where he was. Would it even be possible for her to make it? Hibari couldn't fathom that she'd ever be able to make it. She was too much of a... Well.. A herbivore. Nothing much about her except the fact that she had uncontrollable... Power? Is that the term he should use? Either way, whether she was weak or not, she still seemed to captivate his attention. This, of course, confused him. Why should he care for her or even acknowledge her. She's nothing special, really. Nothing at all. And yet... He has this newly formed tendency to just even watch over her. But for what reason: he doesn't know. It could be assumed that Hibari is growing attached to the little nuisance. Though...he isn't very fond of the thought.

Surprisingly enough, Kuroi somehow did make it to the top.

"I... *pant* ... Told you.. *pant pant*... I'd make it..." She gasped for air as she laid next to Hibari who only stared at her in slight disbelief.

"So you did..." He admitted with reluctance.

As he remained fixated on Kuroi, something bright caught his attention and diverted it over toward a building that seemed to have a rather large monitor on one side. Below it, people started gathering around and watched the screen. Hibari couldn't really hear what everyone said since he was so far away, but he knew that they were about to preform another battle.

Hibari felt a small hand grip at his arm. Diverting his attention from the bright screen, he looked over at the small child. Kuroi was still panting and looked as if she had something to say, but instead, she just collapsed on him.

"You're..." she lifted her hand and pointed at him, "a meaner..."

Kuroi's hand fell back down and she laid on his lap panting. Hibari looked down at her as she rested on him, heavily breathing but still awake. Somehow, he wasn't entirely annoyed by her behavior. A part of him didn't mind her resting the way she was.

Turning his attention back to the screen, Hibari could see that it was Yamamoto Takeshi's turn to fight. Wanting to make sure that Yamamoto didn't lose before his fight, he remained fixated on the jumbo screen. He may seem half-interested, which he was, but at least he was showing some form of attentiveness.

He watched the two adversaries fight in what used to be classrooms was now a giant water tank. Yamamoto was a bit uneasy and slightly panicked as the white-haired charged him. At the last second, Yamamoto was able to preform a special move that lifted columns of water into the air to obscure his image. His attacker sliced through the water, but was unable to hit his target.

"Neh~ Hibari?"

Hibari glanced down at the exhausted child.

"Why are you here? I thought you had training with Mr. Dino..." Kuroi questioned with her eyes half shut.

"I want to make sure they repair the damage done to the school," Hibari admitted.

"Why are so hung up on the school?" Kuroi asked and then chuckled a bit, "If you love it so much why don't you marry it!?"

Hibari glared down at her, "Keep quiet and stop using such cliche phrases, or I'll bite you to death."

Kuroi reduced her laugh to a mere giggle. Trying so hard to keep her laughter down, she kicked her legs around, stomping on the water tower, and bit her tongue. All the while, Hibari watched her with distaste and annoyance. His facial expression easily read "make it stop" or "I'm going to kill her". He was on the verge of just pushing her over the edge and watch her fall to the roof. However, he knew that if he did that, he'd get in trouble with Reborn and won't be able to fight him. Clenching his fists, he sighed and continued watching Yamamoto and the loud, white-haired guy fight.

Yamamoto didn't seem to be doing so well: his eye was injured and his arm was just recently paralyzed. His sword wasn't even much of a weapon anymore; it was back to a bamboo sword that was meant for kendo. All Yamamoto could do was run and dodge while his opponent ranted and insulted him.

Kuroi settled down from her laughter and decided to watch the fight as well.

Yamamoto was repeatedly and rapidly being attacked and jabbed by the man's sword, causing him to recieve many wounds. When the white-haired was done, Yamamoto fell to the floor, unable to move.

The man taunted Yamamoto and after a short conversation, he stood back up and raced for fallen debree to jump on to so that he could make his way back up to the level that his opponent was on. Inviting Yamamoto to fight, the man raised his sword. Yamamoto charged him, prompting the long-haired to do the same. Anticipating the inferior's next move, the white-haired man was surprised when Yamamoto swung his sword in an attack that was the complete opposite of what he was expecting. Taking a hit by the blunt end of the sword, the man flung over Yamamoto and landed in the water on his back.

"Go Takeshi!" Kuroi shouted with her fists clenched and in the air.

Hibari grunted a little and shoved her arms back down, "Stop it."

"But, I'm just cheering for a friend," Kuroi pouted, "You should be cheering for him, too!"

"I have no reason to cheer," Hibari frowned at her.

"Yes you do! He's your friend! And deep down inside, I'm pretty sure you want to shout out to him as well," Kuroi did not believe anything he said.

Sighing and not wanting to continue a pointless argument, Hibari returned back to the fight.

Yamamoto was positioned in a stance that one would only use for baseball. The man charged at him again, sweeping all the water with his sword out of his way as he sprinted toward him. With a swift move of the blade, Yamamoto conjured up water columns and was able to dodge the long-haired man's attack. Unfortunately, the man turned around and headed straight toward Yamamoto again. He swung at the teen and pushed him back. As the man continued running, Yamamoto appeared behind him out of the water. Reacting to this, the man's hand extended and bent backwards, revealing that his arm was mechanical, and stabbed Yamamoto straight through the chest. Unfortunately for the white-haired, the male teen dissolved into water- being a fake from the very beginning it first appeared. The real Yamamoto then appeared and slammed the blunt end of the blade down on top of the man's head, letting him fall to the ground. In the end, Yamamoto received the other half of the ring and therefor won the match.

The Cervello went to talk to the Varia while Yamamoto tried to carry the white-haired man out of the battlefield. However, on the screen Hibari could vaguely see a large shark in the risen water. There was no possible way for them both to escape unharmed. The shark hit the pillar supporting their platform and sent them crumbling down to the shark's level. The man kicked Yamamoto out of the way just in time to avoid becoming shark food. The white-haired, however, did not move and invited the shark, allowing himself to be attacked and taken below the surface of the water. Never seen again...

[3rd Person Limited: Kuroi]

That was it? That was the end? Kuroi couldn't fathom how such a battle could have such a horrid ending. Squalo was gone now. Just like that? All she could hear now was the sound of disturbing, utter silence.

The monitor changed and one of the Cervello appeared.

"The victory for the scramble battle for the ring of Rain goes to Yamamoto Takeshi," she said, "Then, we will announce tomorrow night's battle. The next battle will be between the...

"Guardians of Mist."

The Guardians of Mist... Just hearing those words sent chills up Kuroi's spine for some reason. She felt a familiar presence in the area, as well. It was an all too familiar presence. One that she hated most. One that has caused her so much pain, misery and suffering. One that she never wanted to see again...

[END]

OMFG! It's been too fricking long since I've updated. I am so damn sorry! I know you guys have been waiting for me to update this for weeks or even months! I know, I still need to update Instability.. I will get to that next. Please remember, if I ever want to discontinue this story, I will post a "chapter" stating that this story is no longer being continued. But I doubt that will happen since I am going to finish it. I just take too damn long because of fricking school! Being a junior is hard in high school...

Anyway, hope you liked it. I will still be updating no matter what. Let me know in a review about what you think and what your favorite part and (or) quote is. I guarantee you will LLLOOOOOVVVEEEE the next chapter as you may know Kuroi and Mukuro's past *hint hint*... This should be very interesting.

Now remember, I will always see you in the next update!

POOF!