The small group traveled through the forest after Lal telling them Reborn isn't here at all and are heading to the secret base. They stopped by the river to take a drink. Ryu let out a limited wide range of magic to allow to check to see anyone is there. Nothing pinged in his mage senses. He took a drink from the river and sat down on the big rock.

He grumbled softly as the group split up for food. He managed to snatch few rabbits, found some wild berries and herbs, and several branches to be used as kindling for fire. He gave a prayer to the nature spirits, give thanks for the food, and to send the souls to the afterlife. He got up and turned his head to see the nature sprites guiding the rabbits' souls with a kind smile on his face as he left the area.

He picked up the screaming of his friends and ran in the direction to the large lake to see two of his friends saw the naked Lal and shrugged his shoulders. He head back to pick up the food he got.

At the fire pit, Gokudera and Tsuna eating their fish and can't even look at Lal in the eyes. Ryu munched happily on the half-cooked rabbit with wild berries and tasty herbs and sow away the portion of food for later. The boys made the faces when he bit into the raw meat which rather ironic that they ate raw fish, too.

Ryu threw the carcass into the fire, wondering about the future they are in. He listen to Lal explaining what is going on and told them the Vongola HQ was destroyed. As Lal mentioned the name Byakuran, Ryu's eyebrows shot up in shock and his eyes narrowed at the name of Millefiore family since he knew there is no name like that among the mafia. He snapped out of the trance as he listened to Lal telling them about the rings and boxes were dominating this era.

That fact made Ryu made a angry face as he glanced at his Moon ring on his right middle finger. Lal looked up to the balloon to see one of the metal arm is burning which made Ryu look up as well.

Lal threw the sand on the fire and told them there are enemies. Gokudera and Tsuna quickly get dressed as Ryu threw the any of food left into the bushes. He cast the non-verbal fire spell to destroy the evidence toward the food.

They hid themselves behind the tree. Ryu nearly sneezed from the metallic scent and toned down his heightened senses by smell only. They noticed the large Gola Mosca is walking by. Ryu drawn his guns out to get ready for attack.

They noticed it turned its head and walked in their direction. Tsuna had forgotten about the ring that Lancia gave him after Lal told them do they carry rings than Vongola ones. Ryu smacked his forehead with his left hand from Tsuna's stupidity that decided to come out.

Ryu decided here and now Tsuna need to be trained to remember things after all he isn't a pupil of well-known hitman and daughter of hitman and former family member. Suddenly, the shadowy figure appeared and the shockwave emitting from that action. Gola Mosca were halted.


The figure were revealed the TYL Takeshi Yamamoto with scar on his chin and dressed in suit. Ryu glanced at the katana and assumed Takeshi must changed a lot to accept his nature.

Takeshi chatted with them and informed Lal that info she got were false. He took out his box and activated which the blue-colored flames shot out in shape of a bird. The heavy rain came out of nowhere and were act as defensive camouflage. Tsuna noticed Takeshi stand in front of the stairs that lead to the Vongola hideout. They went downstairs.

They walk through the barrier and Lal suddenly fainted. Ryu checked on Lal via his magic to make sure he is alright, not noticing Takshi knew what Ryu is doing. Takeshi picked Lal up and lead the younger boys through the underground base. Ryu glanced at Lal, knowing she is different from them.

Takeshi took them through the small room and the words uttered from the familiar voice. "You're late."

They turned their heads to see Reborn is there but Ryu had a feeling it is not real Reborn as he stand back, watching Tsuna get hit by Reborn dressed in some kind of suit which Ryu had a feeling that something bad must linked to Reborn and Lal.

Ryu sat down on the chair, glancing at the monitor showing them they are in Namimori. He let out a quiet sigh as Gokudera punched Takeshi. He got the situation were very bad. Later, Tsuna were thinking about what they told him including people were either were somewhere, missing, or killed along with the info in the room where they are lying in the bed. Gokudera lying there, listening to Tsuna crying.

Ryu, still in same place, were assembling the information that were dumped on them. He summon his fox-fire and bounced back and forth between his hands to keep his focus on the task. He sigh as he had a feeling that his family might have met the same fate as Vongola. Ryu went to sleep after snuffed out his fox-fire, snuggling into the orange blanket.

Ryu was startled into the land of living by Yuki sitting on his chest. Yuki yelped happily as she got off Ryu's chest. The white Chihuahua has silver chain necklace with rose quartz crystal pendant. He yawned as he let out a quiet whistle which the small pack of dogs appeared in their own respective elements. Ryu grinned at the dogs whom are sitting down with various expressions on their faces.

Yoru can control shadows, Yuki, snow, Ren, lightning, and Keiki, light. Ryu often wondered how the heck he ended up with so many familiars that can use their own elements and often cursed his weird luck that popped up at random times.

Ryu sighed as he got out of the bed and head to the bathroom. He took a quick shower and enter into his mind to destroy the creature suppression ward.

He brushed his hair and tied into a plait with silver metal hairclip. Ryu left the room and meet up with Tsuna and Gokudera as they came out of the room.

Ryu grunted tiredly and head to the area where he picked up the voices. He tilted his head as he listened to the talking between Lal and Reborn.

When Tsuna and Gokudera approached the door, Reborn had mention that words to Lal the words.

"You're looking for Colonnello's killer," Reborn said. (came from manga.)

Ryu glanced at Lal as he threw some spells in healing only and are time-activated in case Lal need it. Ryu gripped his arms as he is trying to keep his kitsune self calm down as it roared at him to protect his pack. Ryu took a deep calming breath as he spoke few words to his beast. In his mind's eye, he can see the black kitsune snarling in anger with green eyes as the the tails flared up.

He sat down on the chair and let out a tired sigh. Red eyes stared at the small group.

Ryu tapped his fingers on the table as he think up the plan to prevent being screwed over badly by Byakuran's members. Until a plan came to the mind, a smirk etched into Ryu's face making Tsuna start making noises like a dying animal upon seeing that and fainted. Reborn saw a smirk that resembled like his own and wonder what Ryu is thinking.

"What are you thinking, Ryu?" Reborn asked.

"I am thinking that Byakuran could expect the Vongola bring our younger selves into the future." Ryu replied. "So in other words, we could be easily recognizable to the enemies."

Ryu's face held grimace as he said the words. Reborn can see what he is saying.

"What are you saying, Ryu?" Tsuna asked.

"I had a feeling ever since we came here." Ryu replied. "I think the enemy could expect us show up here in the future. After all, future isn't set in stone and is ever-changing. We need to change our appearance. We have telltale signs that could easily attract our enemies' attention."

A scary smile sent the shiver of dread up his friends' spines as they shivered in fear. Ryu smirked along with Reborn.

Tsuna don't who is more scary, Reborn or Ryu.

Ryu dug out the temporary hair dye and contact lenses in his bag and hand to them with instructions. He warned Gokudera and Tsuna not to put on the contact lenses without Ryu's help as they nodded in understanding. He head to the bathroom as he heard the chirping sound coming from his hair and saw the easily hidden form on the mirror. He took out Keiki and placed him on the sink.

He turned his head as he felt the very strong auras in the area where they are at and knew it is the deities doing their jobs. He used his ability to change white hair to messy dark blue hair and red eyes to purple eyes. Putting on the short sleeve pale silver shirt, lacy black skirt, white and black striped stockings and purple skater shoes. Ryu brushed his hair into a high ponytail with right-side swept bangs. Putting on the pink lip gloss and mascara, Ryu left the bathroom.

Gokudera, Tsuna, and older Takeshi choked on the food as they noticed Ryu is wearing female clothing. Even he seem way too comfortable in it. Ryu smirked at their behavior.

"How the hell are you comfortable in that kind of clothing?!" Gokudera exclaimed after Tsuna managed to get the food down.

Ryu's smirk widened as he looked at Reborn which Tsuna caught on.

"Gokudera, you know Reborn dressed like a girl not too long ago." Ryu snickered as he remembered Reborn's cosplay outfits. "You see, I am not saying anything at all. We need to focus on finding the guardians. So sorry."

Ryu wore a smile tinged with sadness as he spoke to Gokudera. He put the plate in the sink after finishing his breakfast.

He help Tsuna out by putting in the pale orange contact lenses and Tsuna had dark blue hair. Gokudera got pale green hair along with blue contact lenses.

They left the hidden base as they head to find Kyoya Hibari. Ryu look up to Keiki flying above them and the dogs hidden in their own abilities.