Title: Fiamma: The Assassin

Summary: Every assassins have their own rules, yet all follows one golden rule: Never get emotionally involved with your target. Fiamma knows this. Yet, meeting that person, he can't help but break the most important rule of all…

Disclaimer: Katekyo Hitman Reborn! belongs to Akira Amano

Pairing: Eventual!G27

Warnings: AU; Language

Fiamma: The Assassin

Chapter 10

"Giotto!"

The Vongola Boss in question gasped, his eyes widening shock, as he stared at the back of his savior. He knew who it was ―the familiar back, those messy brown locks, and that figure― but he couldn't understand how or why. His throat tightened uncomfortably as he breathed out, "…Re… na… to…"

Byakuran narrowed his eyes, "…Fiamma."

"…Master." Tsunayoshi murmured, clutching his upper right arm tightly. He had managed to get here in time to take the attack, but not deflect it, and it just so happens that the attack shot through his upper arm. He could feel the blood vessels and muscles regenerating, but unfortunately, it would be some time before it fully heals. Tsunayoshi used his free hand to grip his bleeding arm, hoping the pressure would be enough to slow down the bleeding. "Master… What… brings you here?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Byakuran smirked. "I had to clean up my naughty little assassin's mess." Tsunayoshi barely suppressed a flinch. "And you, Fiamma?"

"I… I came back to finish my job." Tsunayoshi answered softly.

"Really now…" Byakuran murmured. Suddenly, the Don of Gesso burst into an almost insane laughter and this time, Tsunayoshi flinched openly, staring at his employer with cautious brown eyes. Byakuran smirked at the somewhat frozen assassin and spoke, "You humor me so, my darling little Fiamma. I should be glad that I never did teach you to lie that well." He chuckled.

Tsunayoshi stared back in confusion. "…Wha… What…?"

"You still have yet to realize?" Byakuran asked. Tsunayoshi frowned. "The sheer number of loopholes in that one single statement of yours… It amuses me."

Tsunayoshi forced the panic rising within him back then as he spoke calmly, "…Please enlighten me, Master…"

"Gladly." Byakuran smirked. "If you were here to finish your mission, then there was no need to take that attack for Giotto di Vongola."

Giotto frowned. He hated to admit it, but Byakuran was right. Why did Renato, who was supposed to kill him, save him? He glanced at the blood running down Renato's right arm and grimaced. 'If he doesn't get medical attention for that soon…' Giotto squeezed his eyes shut momentarily. 'Dammit. What should I do…? Should I trust him? Can I trust him?' Golden orbs stared at the small back standing almost protectively in front of him. '…Renato…'

"I just…" Tsunayoshi spoke up, snapping Giotto out of his thoughts. "…I just wanted to finish off my mission myself. My job as an assassin is to taint my hands with blood for my employer. To let Master do the job personally… That would be such a disgrace." He lowered his head.

Byakuran's eyes narrowed at the action while a chuckle escaped his lips. "Hmm, is that so…" He mumbled. "Demo sa… If Fiamma-chan really wanted to finish said mission…" The Don Gesso cracked an eye open lazily. "…You've had plenty of chances to do so in the past few minutes. So then… Why hasn't my dear little Fiamma struck?"

Tsunayoshi didn't bat a single eyelash, despite his internal turmoil. 'I should have realized that he would notice… Dammit…! Even if I struck now, he wouldn't believe it… More importantly…' He tightened the hold on his bleeding arm. '…I can't… kill Giotto di Vongola, yet alone hurt him…!'

Byakuran sighed dramatically. "Fiamma… You've broken the most important rule of being an assassin, haven't you? The assassins' golden rule…"

The assassins's eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

Giotto could see the brunet tensing up. "The… most important rule…?" He pondered quietly under his breath.

"…Never…"

The two respective Dons glanced towards the quiet assassin.

"Never get… emotionally involved… with the target." Tsunayoshi whispered.

"That's right…" Byakuran murmured, lavender eyes almost glowing with a mysterious glint. "And you broke that rule, haven't you, Fiamma." The title was hissed out with disgust. "You've fallen in love with your target, haven't you?"

Giotto barely started digesting the statement when Tsunayoshi shot back with a violent denial, "No!" The assassin shook his head and repeated in a softer voice, "No… It's not… like that." Tsunayoshi tightened his bloodied hand around the wound in his right arm. "…Giotto di Vongola is different, that's all." The brunet spoke firmly.

"…I see." Byakuran nodded. "If that's all, then do it." He spoke, authority clear in his voice. "Finish your mission now. Eliminate Giotto di Vongola."

The Don Vongola gasped softly as Tsunayoshi turned to look at him. Chocolate brown eyes that were once filled with dread and hesitation slowly hardened as the emotions burned away, leaving behind a cold hard stare ―the look of a professional killer. In a split second, the assassin had yanked out the wire hidden under his sleeve, wrapping it around the blond's neck from a distance; the exact same thing as what happened a week ago. Giotto choked as the cool metal wrapped around his neck. Pulling at the wire with a hand futilely, the Don Vongola reached for the desk where his gloves sat, only for the desk to be kicked aside by the assassin.

"…Sorry and… farewell." Tsunayoshi mouthed.

Giotto's eyes widened as the wire was yanked, harder than ever, tightening painfully around his neck. It was different from the other time; there wasn't any more hesitation or mercy. This was… the real Fiamma. Gesso's strongest assassin. The blond choked, desperately trying to take in more air, but to no avail. The wire was much tighter, thoroughly cutting off his air supply. He could already see the black dots dancing around in his vision. Giotto could scarsely make out the smirk on Byakuran's face, nor the emotionless mask fixed on Tsunayoshi's. His legs gave in from the lack of strength and he fell onto his knees. And as his consciousness began to fade, a gunshot ran out.

Tsunayoshi's eyes widened as a hand reached out to grip his elbow tightly before he could swing said arm out. "…Re… born…" The name left his lips in a breathless whisper, as shocked eyes stared at the figure standing in front of him.

The hitman stared back at him before hitting the stunned assassin over the back of his head with a strangely-green mallet. "You are the biggest idiot I ever had the pleasure of having as my charge." Reborn snarled. With a glow, the mallet transformed back into a chameleon on Tsunayoshi's shoulders as the chameleon licked playfully (and, perhaps, comfortingly) at the brunet's cheek while the raven took in a deep breath, releasing it slowly. "…Sorry. I was late." While keeping an eye on Byakuran, who stood with a glare on his face a distance away, Reborn stepped closer to Tsunayoshi as soft yellow flames licked at the assassin's wound, closing within moments. The hitman's eyes flickered over to the fallen Don Vongola, who was busy gasping for the much needed air on the ground, before it rested on the Don Gesso. Reborn glared, "You have a lot of audacity, threatening my charge."

"Reborn… Sun Arcobaleno, strongest hitman in the mafia, and…" Byakuran's eyes flickered over to his strongest assassin. "…Fiamma's… 'protector'."

'P-Protector…?' Giotto frowned. 'There's no doubt that Renato's strong. Why would he need a protector…?'

Reborn smirked and adjusted his fedora, "It's time I take my troublesome charge off your… capable hands." As soon as the words left his mouth, the gun that had been present in his right hand ever since he arrived was spun once before being aimed at the whitehead. "Chaos Shot." He murmured, squeezing the trigger. A yellow-colored shot made purely from Dying Will flames released, shooting towards Byakuran, who, strangely enough, simply stood in his place without making any moves to defend himself.

The hitman knew why soon enough.

In a flash, Tsunayoshi had appeared in front of Byakuran, blocking the attack easily enough. The Don Gesso smirked as Reborn's eyes narrowed.

"Move." Reborn hissed.

"…No." Tsunayoshi answered quietly.

"Move."

"No."

Reborn's normally reasonable patience snapped as he snarled, "The Vongola Guardians are fighting against the assassins while the Funeral Wraths are going to destroy them!"

Fiamma's eyes were blown wide open in―

"Oya, oya. You found out. Now the entertainment… truly begins. Ne, Shiroryu?"

―"TSUNA!"

"…You were… planning to… take us out… in one shot…?"

Reborn lunged forward, just barely catching Tsunayoshi before the assassin fell to the ground. He heard a gasp coming from the Vongola Primo (a small part of his mind was surprised that he was still here ―then again, it was his mansion) but the hitman ignored that, focusing on pushing his Sun flames into the gaping hole in Tsunayoshi's side.

"Sor~ ry~" Byakuran sang as a finger started glowing. "It won't be that easy. It's Fiamma-chan punishment, after all~"

Reborn grasped for his gun, despite knowing he would be a second too late. Before the attack could hit, however, a black blur appeared in front of them, blocking off the attack. "…Giotto di Vongola…"

The founder of Vongola was still very much breathing heavily, his throat still burning from the assault. "I'll… take care of this… Renato… please take care… of him…" Giotto gasped out softly, as flames bursts from the gloves he retrieved from the fallen desk.

"You can barely breathe as it is." Reborn pointed out bluntly, even as he continued healing the assassin. "Unfortunately, I have a little something to settle with that man over there, so you're not needed ―and I don't care that you own the place, either. Besides, it doesn't take that long to heal this idiot, if that's what you're thinking." He emphasized his statement with the finishing of the healing. Tsunayoshi sat up with a grimace as the tender muscles shifted at the movement. "If you want to be useful, make sure this idiot doesn't do anything stupid." Reborn ordered as he got up, intent on killing the Don Gesso. Tsunayoshi, however, had other plans. Ignoring his screaming muscles, he reached out and grabbed the hitman's only empty hand and stared at him. The hitman's stare was cold as he asked, "Are you planning on stopping me again?"

Tsunayoshi shook his head as he held onto Reborn's hand, pulling himself up. Instinctively, an arm went around the assassin's waist to help him up. The brunet closed his eyes momentarily as he murmured, "I'm tired." A soft sigh escaped his lips as Tsunayoshi continued, "…I've been an assassin for ten years now. For these past ten years, I've done nothing but kill on orders. I locked up my emotions and let myself feel nothing as I took out my targets. I've forced myself to feel no remorse as I watch the life slowly die out in their eyes. For these past ten years, I've never failed an assassination before because I kept to the golden rule of the assassins. Ten years and now… that 'impressive' record… is broken." Chocolate brown eyes met darkened amber for a split moment. "I'm sick of it, you know… The amount of blood staining my hands… I will never be able to wash it away. There's only one thing left that I can do."

Tsunayoshi narrowed his eyes at Byakuran, who watched with a passive look in his eyes.

And if Reborn felt the trembling of the assassin's body under his hands ―both in fear and physical pain― he said nothing about it.

"Ma… No, Byakuran. You were the one who took everything away from me. Everything, including the one thing I yearn ―freedom." Tsunayoshi spoke firmly. "…Your life ends today. I'll retrieve my freedom and end it all."

Byakuran continued staring, even as he replied, "So… This is your answer."

"Yes."

"…Very well." Byakuran smirked. "But, tell me this, Fiamma. I was the one who trained you into what you are today. Do you really think you can beat me?"

"We won't know until we try." Tsunayoshi replied.

Reborn, who had been quietly watching until now, returned his gun back into its holster ―a sign that he had (albeit very reluctantly) given in to Tsunayoshi's decision. "…Tsuna." The hitman reached into his jacket pocket and a pair of gloves. "Take these."

"…My gloves… Where did you―?"

"―Idiot. I know you better than you know yourself." Reborn replied.

Tsunayoshi said nothing to that, merely staring at the gloves wordlessly.

It was a pair of black, metal-clad gloves, made of a special flame-resistant material. It greatly resembled the gloves Giotto wore, except Tsunayoshi's gloves had an 'X' on the back of the gloves instead of an 'I' on Giotto's. In addition, the cross had Tsunayoshi's full name on it.

The assassin took a moment to close his eyes as the memories flooded him. Memories of him living with a bunch of quirky, but friendly people, who took him under their wing, fed him, clothed him, and gave him warmth. People who had no obligation to help him, yet took care of him like their own. The people whom he had lived for, once upon a time, and smiled for. People who willingly gave up their lives for him. Tsunayoshi gripped the gloves tightly as the side of his lips lifted without his permission.

"Reborn… Thank you." Tsunayoshi spoke softly. "I don't think I ever said this, but… Thank you for being alive."

The hitman made a small noise, as though saying, 'Who do you think you're talking to, idiot.' Onyx orbs flickered over to the Don Gesso, who was still watching silently, this time more in amusement than anger. "…Tsuna." Reborn called. "Don't die on me." He murmured before heading out again to assist the other Arcobalenos, whom he had sent after the Vongola Guardians and Gesso assassins beforehand.

Tsunayoshi watched Reborn leave before slipping on his gloves. He took several deep breaths and when he finally released the last one, bright orange flames flared from the gloves. Behind him, Giotto frowned as he noted the similari― '…no… This feeling… He is using Dying Will flames…! And that color… he's a Sky attribute as well…?' His eyes widened when Tsunayoshi turned over to look at him, a hint of orange shining within the darkened brown orbs.

"Giotto di Vongola… Get out of here." Tsunayoshi instructed.

"…No." Giotto shook his head. "I'll fight with you."

"Sorry, but I have to reject your offer." Tsunayoshi replied. "This is personal."

"Rena―"

"―Tsunayoshi."

"…Sorry?" Giotto blinked.

"My name… is Sawada Tsunayoshi." The assassin introduced himself. "Although… I'm more commonly known as the assassin, Fiamma." Giotto grimaced as his suspicions were confirmed. Tsunayoshi took in one last deep breath before he announced, "Mission: Eliminate Giotto di Vongola and Guardians. Mission status…" The brunet smirked predatorily. "…Abandoned."

"Hmph… You're a bad assassin… making your Boss do the job personally…" Byakuran murmured as a white flame dragon danced around his shoulder. "Go, Shiroryu."

Tsunayoshi narrowed his eyes as the dragon flew towards him at an incredible speed. The brunet watched it carefully and dodged, allowing the dragon to fly past him. "Tch." The assassin scowled when the dragon stopped just before the wall and flew around back at him. Tsunayoshi gathered the flames in the palm of his gloves and let the flames flare out in the form of a shield. The white dragon slammed into the shield at full force, strong enough to push Tsunayoshi back a few steps, slamming him into one of the numerous bookcases lining the wall.

"Re― Tsunayoshi!" Giotto cried out, running over to the assassin.

"I thought… I told you… to get out of here…" Tsunayoshi gasped out as he attempted to regain his breathing proper.

"Still no." Giotto answered. "You want me to stay out of your fight, fine. But this is my mansion and I'm staying."

"…Idiot…" Tsunayoshi grumbled under his breath, ignoring the indignant cry from the blond. "Fine. But this is my fight. Interfere, and I'll kick you out of the window."

Byakuran chuckled. "Are you done over there? I'm falling asleep."

"Well, then let me wake you up!" Tsunayoshi shouted

Fiamma flew towards his former boss in a flash of flame, pulling one arm back to punch at Byakuran. The whitehead's eyes narrowed as he dodged the blow easily, the flames barely reaching him at all. As his body was still turning, Byakuran flicked a finger in Tsunayoshi's direction, sending a shockwave of flames at the brunet, to which he shattered, albeit with much efforts. Tsunayoshi pulled out what remained of his shattered wire and used it in tandem with his attacks, as though he was wielding a whip. The flames extended from his gloves, licking their way down the wire, covering it as it was flung around. With the makeshift whip, Byakuran was forced to dodge the attacks rather than negate it with his White Applause. Unfortunately, the Don Gesso managed to find an opening to hit Tsunayoshi with another White Finger, slamming the assassin against the wall once more.

Giotto watched from the sideline as he swore to do, fighting every urge to slip into his Hyper Dying Will form and help out. Amber eyes were locked onto the small figure getting up from the ground. 'To be honest, I'm impressed. Given that he is Fiamma, he certainly lives up to his title, but…' He glanced at the Don Gesso, who was currently humming to himself. '…if what he said was true, then Gesso's the one who trained him ―his 'teacher', in other words. And furthermore… Despite looking as though they're well-matched…' His eyes narrowed. '…Tsunayoshi is clearly the one taking more damage…!'

"Oya, oya. Didn't you say you want to kill me?" Byakuran sang. "I'm barely damaged, let alone close to death~"

'…Tch. I never thought this will happen but…' Giotto growled lowly. 'He pisses me off.'

"I'm not… done yet…" Tsunayoshi gritted out through clenched teeth.

The brunet flung the makeshift whip again, this time successfully capturing one of Byakuran's wrists in addition to landing some hits. At the same time, Tsunayoshi's free hand, which had been charging up a concentrated ball of flames, released said ball of flames. With a yank of the wire, the whitehead's hands were forced apart, rendering him unable to use his defensive maneuver, and Tsunayoshi's attack hit.

The assassin didn't stop there.

Tsunayoshi immediately recalled the wire as he pulled out a small dagger which he had hidden on his body as he flew towards the still stunned Don Gesso and, without a single shred of hesitation, stabbed the whitehead with it. Byakuran gasped out and collapsed to the ground while Tsunayoshi gasped for breath.

'That dagger… it punctured a lung. I'm not sure if the heart was grazed. Did he miss?' Giotto frowned. 'No… I don't think he'll miss on purpose… Something made him miss…?' Amber orbs locked onto the small, frail figure still trying to even out his breathing. '…His arm… his right arm… it's still shaking… So, that's why… Even though that hitman ―Reborn, was it? Ironic― healed him, the muscles are still raw. His right arm is weaker than normal, so… Even so… The lung is punctured. No one has Sun flames here. Gesso is… gone.'

Tsunayoshi sighed as he turned around to face Giotto. "…Sorry about the office."

"I get to skip paperwork for a while." Giotto joked.

"…Now then… Get on with it." Tsunayoshi said quietly.

"Get on with what…?" Giotto blinked in bemusement.

"…Kill me." Tsunayoshi replied. "I'm Fiamma. One of the deadliest assassin in the world. Vongola is a vigilante organization you created to save people. My job is the very opposite of that. So then. Kill me."

"Not if I get there first."

Tsunayoshi's eyes widened. Almost in slow motion, he turned around to see none other than Byakuran ―who should have been lying on the ground as his life slipped away― pushing the dagger ―the same dagger Tsunayoshi stabbed him with― into his back.

"I'll… need… an… escort…" Byakuran smirked.

"Bya… kuran…" Tsunayoshi narrowed his eyes. Giotto lunged off his feet, wrapping his arms around Tsunayoshi to pull him away as he kicked off Byakuran's hand that was still twisting the dagger in the assassins back. The blond helped him away from the dying Don Gesso, who was chuckling even as he took his last breath. Tsunayoshi gasped for breath as the pain hit him. 'This is… no ordinary dagger, after all…' Giotto carefully lowered them to the ground, with the assassin using him for support. They ended up with both of them kneeling on the ground, with Tsunayoshi resting his head on Giotto's shoulder as though they were hugging. "…Giotto… di Vongola… Pull… Pull the dagger… out…"

"Ehh? But…!"

"Just… do it…!" Tsunayoshi hissed.

Giotto frowned but, seeing the death glare fixed on him, relented. "Here I go…" He murmured, gripping the dagger's handle. In a single movement, Giotto pulled out the dagger, dropping it on the ground. Tsunayoshi bit down a howl as he gripped the back of Giotto's suit tightly.

"T-Thank… Thank you…" Tsunayoshi gasped out. "I'm fine… I finally… got it back…"

"Got what back…?" Giotto asked. "No, this isn't the time for that. I have to get you medical attention."

Despite the pain spreading in his body, the assassin couldn't help but laugh. "You really… are an interesting… idiot…" Giotto scowled at the insult-complement (though the brunet thought it looked more like a pout than a scowl). "I got… my freedom back… It's… enough now…"

"No… I'm not letting you die!" Giotto shouted.

"I… wanted… to kill you…" Tsunayoshi murmured, his eyes already starting to droop. "…It doesn't matter now… Could you… do me a favor…?"

"I promise. Just… let me get you help…! Please…!" Giotto pleaded.

"Tell… Tell Reborn… I'm sorry… for being a selfish brat… till the end…"

And caramel orbs closed.

A/N: Right! Sorry this chapter too so long! I rewrote this chapter several times, but it just wasn't satisfactory until a bunny hit me and I finally came up with this version! Things are looking a bit bad now, huh? Byakuran's dead, but Tsunayoshi's dying too? Not to mention, what of the Vongola Guardians, Gesso assassins and Arcobaleno?

Thanks for reading, peeps! See you next time~ Ciao Ciao~